A Sign of the Times

 

The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. Proverbs 24:9 (NASB)

First of all, what is a scoffer? It doesn’t sound like a good thing, right? We’re told that the person who is a scoffer is an abomination to everyone. The dictionary definition of ‘to scoff’ is “to speak derisively; mock; jeer”. I’ll be honest, when I look at the world around me (and even myself, more often than I’d like to admit) we have built a pedestal for those with an exceptional ability to mock and jeer, and we celebrate their derisive scoffing.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. Psalms 1:1 (ESV)

How many people do you follow on social media who are celebrated because of their ability to scoff? How many people on social media do you follow just because they are so adept at ridiculing the people you disagree with? We can, and must, take this rebuke. Don’t let yourself become the object of these Bible verses, regardless of how celebrated this has become in the world around us.

A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Proverbs 13:1 (NKJV)

Right now, in this political climate, are you a scoffer? When you see someone say something you disagree with, are you tempted to mock them with a prepackaged party line that doesn’t further the conversation at all? Are you more than tempted, and you actually saying that derisive and dismissive statement? Are you allowing yourself to be a scoffer?

“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. Proverbs 21:24 (ESV)

Do you see someone else scoffing and you feel the need to correct them?

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Proverbs 9:7 (ESV)

What is that urge that we feel to correct the person we can tell really doesn’t care about being corrected?

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Proverbs 9:8 (ESV)

If we’re honest, when we choose to correct someone whom we view as being a scoffer, we usually become a scoffer right along with them. The way of Jesus is not the way of the scoffer. The fruit of the scoffer is the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit brings wisdom and wisdom is consistently juxtaposed with the scoffer in the book of Proverbs. Do you have wisdom?

Or, are you lumped in with the scoffer?

How long will you naïve ones love simplicity, you scoffers delight in scoffing, and you fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22 (TLV)

All of America is following after scoffers, and we’re delighting in the things our scoffers are saying to our opponent’s scoffers. Take this warning and rid yourself of the scoffer. I’m not wise. The only wisdom I have comes from the Spirit and the Word of God.

A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise Proverbs 15:12 (ESV)

We war and we rage against our neighbors because we have differing views. We have no brotherly love for our neighbor because they see a different way forward.

Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. Proverbs 29:8 (ESV)

Don’t allow yourself to even entertain the mockery of the scoffer or your peace will be ruined. Your peace will be lost, not because of the scoffer, but because of your own inability to control yourself.

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet Proverbs 29:9

Do you have any scoffers in your life? How many people in your life can you think of who will not accept rebuke and will mock the one who is attempting to counsel them? Do you know anyone who scorns the advice of those who have been placed around them to give them good counsel? Do you follow anyone on social media who respond to everything with mockery? Do you support any political candidates who deride their opponents and mock them? As a person, rid yourself of the influence of scoffers. As a country, rid yourself of the influence of scoffers.

Throw out a scoffer and strife will go out, quarreling and disgrace will cease. Proverbs 22:10 (TLV)

If you think I'm talking about your political candidate, I am. If you think I'm talking about your opponent's political candidate, I'm talking about yours, too.

For a good discussion of this topic please head on over to the And Campaign and give this episode of their podcast a listen.