Spiritual Discernment

Introduction

I. Dogs and Pigs (6)

• Who are the “dogs” and the “pigs”? “… those, who by clear evidences, have manifested a hardened contempt of God.” John Calvin

This means, for example, that Christ’s disciples must not endlessly continue to bring the gospel message to those who scorn it. To be sure, patience must be exercised, but there is a limit. A moment arrives when constant resistance to the gracious invitation must be punished by the departure of the messengers of good tidings. William Hendriksen

• Examples: (Matt. 11:25; Acts 18:6; Matt. 10:14; Titus 3:10)

II. Narrow and Wide Gates (13-14)

III. False Prophets (15-20)

• False Teaching (Jer. 5:31; 23:16)
• Destructive Teaching (2 Pet. 2:1)
• Immorality (Jer. 23:14; 2 Pet. 2:14)
• Clever and deceptive (2 Pet. 2:1)
• Lovers of self (2 Tim. 3; 2 Pet. 2:3)
• Irreverent (2 Pet. 2:2, 10)

Conclusion: The promise of help (7-12)—“ask … seek … knock.”