“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 (Christian) Bible
“In Biblical times, when leaving Gentile cities, pious Jews often shook the dust from their feet to show their separation from Gentile practices. According to the New Testament, when Jesus called his twelve disciples, he sent them into Jewish lands and told them, in a reversal, to perform the same act against the non-believing Jews.” (Wikipedia)
This instruction holds deep meaning for me, not just as a symbol but as practical advice: walk away from those who choose ignorance, intolerance, or hatred. There’s no need to argue or fight; simply remove yourself. Whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, or strangers, if someone embraces negativity or refuses truth, it’s not my role to change them unless they seek it. My best option is to leave, carrying nothing of their resistance with me—not hatred, resentment, or even memory. Walk away clean, as Jesus advised: don’t even take their dust with you.
This principle stands in stark contrast to modern behavior. Today, disagreements often spiral into name-calling, character assassination, and hostility, both online and in person. We meet ignorance with ignorance, resistance with resistance, escalating conflict instead of creating peace. In doing so, we lower ourselves to the same level.
There’s no reason to stay in environments of abuse, hatred, or disrespect. Nor should we add to the negativity with our own words or actions. Sometimes, the most powerful, compassionate response is to simply walk away. Shake the dust from your feet, and leave with peace.