Proverbs 9:12. …if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
Yesterday we talked about the dangers of individualism – wanting to become your true self, apart from God and others. But we become our true self only through our union with Christ. Christ in us accentuates who we are meant to be, the imago dei.
In this second half of the proverb, Solomon is reminding us again of a very important truth – you can never escape you. Your character, your personality, your mindset, your choices, these follow you wherever you go. Each person has to bear themselves on life’s journey. Therefore, if you choose to become a scoffer, you alone will bear it.
This is not to say that our choices don’t affect others, of course they do. Nor does it mean that others can’t help you bear a sin burden. In fact, doesn’t the Apostle Paul teach us to bear one another’s burdens as the fulfillment of the Law of Christ? But it is the scoffer who refuses such help. Anyone who confesses their sin, seeks spiritual guidance, accountability, and reconciliation is by definition not a scoffer.
The scoffer never confesses their sin, so they bear it alone.
The scoffer never seeks spiritual growth, so they slowly dry up alone.
The scoffer can’t admit weakness, so they face life’s challenges alone.
The scoffer isn’t honest about their own character, so they live alone in a chamber of delusion.
The scoffer mocks everything, so eventually they mock alone.
The scoffer refuses to believe what God says, they fail to trust God with their whole heart, and rather, they lean on their own understanding, so they travel the path of life alone without direction.
Can a Christian be a scoffer? It is hard to imagine that someone with the life of Christ living in them could be the scoffer that Proverbs describes. But can a Christian scoff? Can someone in Christ succumb to the fleshly pride of individualism that still indwells them, and in a moment (or an extended season) scoff? Scoff at others? Scoff at truth? Scoff at God? Even without realizing they are doing it?
Yes.
How can we identify the Christian who is scoffing? By their aloneness. How much of their Christian life is being spent alone is likely in direct proportion to their scoffing at the principles of spiritual growth and wisdom that should be driving them toward togetherness and community.
The good news is that with Christ in us we are never truly alone. Jesus never leaves or forsakes, even when we scoff. By the power of God’s indwelling grace we can resist our desire to resist the Spirit’s promptings to live out our faith from within a gospel centered community of believers. The eternal family of God that breaks down our naturally scoffing hearts by its supernatural truth spoken in love.
You: Have you found yourself alone with a scoffing attitude lately?
You in Christ: In Christ we are never alone. How does this truth soften your heart and prevent you from wanting to live life apart from the church of God?
Christ in you: Has Christ in you been nudging you to find a community that will hold you accountable?
Pray: Father, I don’t want to be a scoffer and walk through life alone. I know you will never leave me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 