An Earring In a Pig's Snout
Julia Bettencourt

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As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,
so is a fair woman which is without discretion."
Proverbs 11:22


All through the book of Proverbs it talks about wisdom and what affect that worldly influences will have on us if we don't take heed to that wisdom. In Proverbs 11:22, the Bible equates a "fair woman which is without discretion" as "a jewel of gold in a swine's snout".  Basically here, what comes to mind is a woman without sexual discretion. Many of us think we'll just bypass that verse as we don't think it applies to those of us who as Christian women have a hold on that area. But that verse is just loaded with so much wisdom that we can all stop and take notice. There are so many areas in our lives that if we don't have discretion and wisdom in, we end up being nothing more than an earring in a pig's snout.

Think about the area of communication alone. What an area in which we need discretion. Everything we say has an impact. We have to be oh so careful with how we use our tongue.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."   James 3:5,6

What about the area of dress? As a Christian woman we have to be discreet and careful in this area or we won't be setting forth a Christian witness. With all the immodest worldly styles out there today, we can't just pick off something from a rack at the mall and take it home and put it on. No one ever said the Christian life was easy and this is one of those things that just isn't easy. It takes a little work and consideration to have a modest wardrobe.

We all have our standards and what we think is appropriate. We are not all going to agree on what is cut and dry and what is right and wrong in this area, and that's fine. God designed us to think on our own. However, though we may have some liberty at choosing our clothing, we can't ignore the many things in God's Word that help us to make and weigh those decisions.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.    I Corinthians 6:19,20

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel...   I Timothy 2:9

There are other areas in our lives that we should strive for discretion in too. Financial matters, child-rearing, and more. Discretion basically just means that we are cautious in our decisions. It all revolves around being discreet, which is just using good judgment in our conduct.

Going back to Proverbs 11:22, it talks about that "fair woman without discretion" being nothing more than an adornment for a pig. So if that "jewel of gold" goes everywhere the pig goes, let's think about the pig. What do pigs like to do?

1. Root Around With Their Noses.
   Are there worldly areas that we like to root into like a pig, smelling and desiring until we follow our noses?
   
   ...keep thyself pure.   I Timothy 5:22
   
   Abstain from all appearance of evil.   I Thessalonians 5:22
   
   Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.   Proverbs 4:14,15



2. Eat Pig's Slop.
   Pigs don't really care what's put into their slop trough. They'll eat just about anything. Old watermelon rinds, corn cobs, and all kinds of tasty treats. What about us? What do we think is a delicacy? Do we look at the world with all its morsels and feel it's right for us as a Christian?
   
   Some of us like to mix a little worldliness in with our Christianity. We think a little worldliness in our diet won't hurt us. We take a dab of ungodly ideas, a few immoral thoughts, and season it with a few worldly influences. Then we mix and stir. In reality it turns into nothing but pig's slop fit only for a pig to eat.
   
   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   Romans 12:1,2



3. Roll Around in the Mud.
   Pigs love to roll around in the mud and we tend to do the same thing when we get away from God and from honoring Him in the decisions we make. We just roll around in worldliness. We forget that the world is evil and full of snares for us as a Christian.
   
   Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.   James4:4-8



4. Laze in the Sun.
   Pigs are not the type of animals we see racing across the pasture. They basically just eat, grunt, sleep, roll around in the mud, and then they nap in the sunshine. When we as Christians start making decisions with the help of ungodly influences, do you notice how lazy we get? The outcomes of those decisions start interfering with our service for Christ.
   
   No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.   Matthew 6:24

Conclusion:
When we get off track in not having wisdom and discretion in our daily decisions and don't base them on the godly principles found in God's Word, it will have an impact on us. We will start loosing perspective on what is right and what is wrong. In turn we will dwindle in our relationship with the Lord and pretty soon we are wallowing in the world. Even though we may be a Christian woman, we won't be the beautiful witness that God intended. We become nothing more than an adornment in the barnyard.

So, have you been dangling from the snout of a pig lately?


Copyright ©2003 Julia Bettencourt
Scripture References are from the King James Version.
www.juliabettencourt.com

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