"DA TIE MO” (KNOW YOUR OWN)

 

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” - Matthew 10:14

The street expression “da tie mo” captures a wisdom that Scripture has always taught: do not keep expending your energy, love, loyalty, and sacrifice on those who do not value you. Know who truly receives you before you give yourself to them. This is not a call to hatred or pride, it is a command for discernment.

In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out His disciples with authority and purpose. Yet He immediately sets boundaries. He does not instruct them to beg for acceptance, prove their worth, or exhaust themselves in rejection. Instead, He commands withdrawal. The instruction to shake off the dust is symbolic, it represents emotional, spiritual, and relational detachment from spaces that dishonor divine investment.

This reveals a crucial kingdom principle: love is offered, but value determines access. Jesus loved the world, yet He did not remain where His presence was despised. To remain in such spaces would be to cheapen both the message and the messenger.
Scripture consistently reinforces this pattern. Proverbs 4:23 commands believers to guard their hearts, because life flows from it. Energy wasted on people who do not value you eventually drains purpose. Proverbs 23:9 goes further, warning against speaking wisdom to those who will only despise it. Persistence in dishonor is not patience, it is self neglect.

Jesus Himself modeled “da tie mo.” John 6 records that many disciples turned away when His teaching became demanding. He did not chase them. Instead, He turned to the twelve and asked if they also would leave. He recognized who were His own. Depth was reserved for those who valued truth, not those who merely enjoyed convenience.
Paul echoes this wisdom in Galatians 6:10, instructing believers to do good to all, but especially to those who belong. This hierarchy matters. Universal kindness does not mean equal investment. Scripture draws a clear line between compassion and covenant.

To “know your own” is to recognize where your love is received, your presence is honored, and your sacrifice produces fruit. Even God withdraws when rejection becomes a pattern. Revelation 3:20 shows Christ standing at the door and knocking, not breaking in. Refusal has consequences.

In essence, “da tie mo” is biblical stewardship of the heart. It is the wisdom to stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you. It is the courage to move on without bitterness. It is obedience to Jesus’ command to preserve purpose by disengaging from persistent dishonor.

Knowing who are yours does not reduce love; it protects it.

#DontComeForMe