Recently, I entered a discussion on Facebook that turned into a debate about the reality of Heaven and Hell and the existence of God. The other person argued there was no proof of either, believing that death meant ceasing to exist. His philosophy was to live for the moment: “Get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the lid.”

He described life in terms of “karma” (a concept in some religions that requires a type of faith)—you get out what you put in. If you do good, good returns; if you do evil, bad follows. His argument was contradictory — but I abstained from "poking the bear." Several times, I asked him to define what he meant by 'good' and 'evil'. He could not reconcile the coexistence of evil and God. I replied that he cannot define evil apart from believing in a transcendent Being (God). Evil cannot exist if there is no standard of good; evil is just an opinion that vacillates from person to person if there is no God. Murder is not wrong if there is no God, and stealing is not wrong if there is no God. His answers were vague and shallow, revealing the weakness of his foundation, both in life and in death.

I soon realized my efforts were futile. Since he rejected the Bible, the source of all truth, the only fixed point, our discussion lacked a common foundation and became irrational and unreasonable. Eventually, I bowed out. He assumed he had “won” the debate, but the real lesson for me was that some conversations are not worth pursuing.

Biblical Warnings About Fruitless Arguments

• Paul warned Timothy: “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” (2 Tim. 2:23, ESV)
• And Jesus cautioned His disciples: “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matt. 7:6, ESV)

Both passages emphasize the importance of discernment when sharing the truth. Not every heart is open to receive what is sacred.

Jesus’ Metaphors Explained

1. Holy Things and Pearls

In the first metaphor, Jesus warned against giving what is holy to those who would treat it as common.

Jewish understanding of things that are considered holy:

• The altar was considered “most holy” (Ex. 29:37; 40:10).
• Temple utensils were “most holy” (Ex. 30:28–29).
• The offerings themselves were “most holy” (Lev. 2:3).
• The holy place of sacrifice was set apart (Lev. 7:6; 10:12).
• Even leftovers from offerings, after the third day, were still regarded as holy (Lev. 7:16–18).
• A broader interpretation would argue that Jesus Himself is the “Holy One” (Acts 3:14). Everything connected to Him—the gospel, His teachings, the means of worship—is holy. To those unwilling to believe, offering these truths is like casting treasures before those who will only trample them.

To take what was dedicated to God and give it to dogs would show complete disregard for its sacredness.

Pearls are analogous to obtaining precious truths.  Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a merchant who sold everything to obtain “a pearl of great price” (Matt. 13:45–46). These truths are not discovered through human reasoning but revealed by the Spirit (Matt. 13:11–17).

Earlier in Matthew 13, Jesus’ disciples inquired why He spoke in parables. He answered them that they possessed a great ability to be able to understand the “mysteries of the kingdom.” That ability was of great value. Those who were unbelievers and scoffers could not understand. Spiritual truths are spiritually discerned. Unspiritual people cannot appreciate the value of biblical teachings or understand them. As believers, we are stewards of truths of surpassing worth, pearls. We must guard them carefully, not devaluing what God has entrusted to us.

2. Dogs and Pigs

Jesus’ second metaphor points to the nature of those who reject truth.

• Dogs referred to in this passage were not pets but wild scavengers, dangerous and untamed. They devoured anything and could turn and attack without provocation.
• Pigs were indiscriminate creatures, without discernment, consuming whatever was before them. They do not care what they eat or where they eat.

Together, they represent people who cannot recognize the value of spiritual truth. To such, holy teaching is wasted and even dangerous.

Proverbs echoes this wisdom: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself” (Prov. 26:4, ESV).  The passage provides poignant illustrations, stating that just as a whip controls a horse, a bridle a donkey, and a rod a fool's back, one should not respond to a fool on their own terms ("according to his folly") because it will lead to becoming like the fool oneself. This implies that while animals require physical control, engaging in foolish arguments or behavior is counterproductive and degrades one's own wisdom and character.

Don’t Argue with Donkeys

This principle is captured in a simple story:

A donkey told a tiger, “The grass is blue.”

The tiger replied, “No, the grass is green.”

They went to the lion, king of the jungle, for judgment.

The donkey pleaded, “Your Highness, isn’t the grass blue?”

The lion answered, “Yes, the grass is blue.”

The donkey complained, “The tiger contradicts me—please punish him.”

The lion decreed, “The tiger shall remain silent for five years.”

The donkey rejoiced and went away, repeating, “The grass is blue!”

Confused, the tiger asked the lion, “Why am I punished if the grass is green?” The lion replied, “Yes, the grass is green. But you are punished for wasting your time arguing with a donkey—and for troubling me with such a question.”

The worst waste of time is arguing with a fool and a fanatic who does not care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. There are people who, regardless of the evidence we present to them, lack the capacity to understand. All they want is to be right, even if they are not.

Some people—blinded by ego, resentment, or unbelief— cannot, unfortunately, receive the truths of God. No amount of evidence will persuade them. As believers, our responsibility is not to win arguments but to wisely steward the treasures of the gospel.

Discernment means knowing when to share—and when to walk away.

I shared how a conversation about Heaven and Hell on Facebook turned fruitless. The experience reminded me that not every debate is worth pursuing. Some reject God’s Word outright, leaving no common ground for discussion. But this raises an important question: When is it right to speak, and when is it right to remain silent?

Speaking with Grace and Truth

Scripture makes clear that believers are called to share their faith. Peter instructed: “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Pet. 3:15, ESV) This was not a suggestion nor optional; it's a command. Believers must always be ready to share the gospel, the reason for their hope. We must do so with a spirit of humility and respect, never with pride or arrogance.

Paul, too, emphasized this balance: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col. 4:6, ESV) What are the primary characteristics of salt? It changes the environment it comes into contact with — it does not conform, it does not affirm, it changes it for the better. It never leaves anything the same. Seasoned language is better. The goal is not merely to speak truth, but to do so in a way that draws others rather than drives them away.

Knowing When to Walk Away

Yet the Bible also warns against endless, unfruitful debates. Jesus Himself often walked away from those who opposed Him without sincerity. When the Pharisees demanded signs to test Him, He left them (Mark 8:11-13).

Paul instructed Titus: “Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” (Titus 3:9, ESV) There is a time to defend truth boldly, but there is also a time to shake the dust off our feet (Matt. 10:14). Discernment means knowing the difference.

The Example of Jesus: Consider how Jesus interacted with people:

• With the humble and seeking — like Nicodemus (John 3) or the woman at the well (John 4) — He patiently explained profound truths.
• With the proud and hostile — like many Pharisees — He often answered briefly, asked probing questions, or exposed their hypocrisy, then moved on.

Jesus discerned the condition of the heart before He spoke. He never wasted words, and He never cast pearls before swine.

4 Lessons for Us

• Pray for discernment — Ask the Holy Spirit to show you when to speak and when to be silent.
• Value the treasure — Remember that the gospel is holy and precious. It should not be treated lightly.
• Guard your time and energy — Not every debate is worth entering. Some only drain and distract.
• Trust God with the results — We are called to share, but it is God who opens hearts and minds (1 Cor. 3:6–7).

Final Thought

We live in a world full of arguments, opinions, and empty chatter. Social media especially magnifies this noise. As believers, we must learn the wisdom of both speaking truth boldly and walking away quietly.

The gospel we carry is of eternal worth — let us handle it with reverence, discernment, and trust in God’s timing.