TLIC PROVERBS. FEBRUARY 17: SCORNERS.

Proverbs 3:34. Toward the scorners [God] is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

You’ve probably heard the expression you reap what you sow. This is actually one of the Bible’s most important truths. Today’s proverbs, as well as many other scriptures, show us that God responds to us in the same way that we respond to him. Toward the scorner God is scornful. But to the humble he gives favor (grace).

I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want is for God to scorn me. Which means we better know what it means to scorn God. What is a scorner? A scorner is someone who is too proud, too self-absorbed to listen to God. The scorner even mocks God and makes fun of people who believe in and trust in God.

Do you know any scorners?

But God’s response to the scorner is not like the scorner’s response to God. God doesn’t scorn the scorner from spite. He doesn’t mock the mocker to “get even.” God lets us reap what we sow, he gives us a taste of our own medicine, so that we might become the humble before God, recognizing our desperate need of his grace.  Here’s how James says all of this in the New Testament:

James 4:6-10. ⁶But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

The difference between God and man is that God’s scorning IS also his mercy and grace. God’s scorning of the scorner is meant to humble him and restore him that he might live within the favor of God. At the cross, Christ was scorned by God. He mourned and wept over OUR sin. Now he sits enthroned over all creation, exalted by God because of his humility and submission to God for our sake.

The good news is that if you are in Christ then you have already been humbled and favored with Jesus on that cross. Your identity is saint not scorner. You simply can’t be a Christian and a scorner at the same time. But, even in Christ, we are far from perfect and prone to pride. We can still have scornful moments, like when we think our sin is no big deal, or when we trust in ourselves or others rather than God. James calls for the Christian to live with clean hands and a pure heart before God, humbling ourselves before him and admitting our sin. Then, and only then can we live the exalted life.

You: Are you scorning God in some way? Failing to trust him? Covering over sin?

You in Christ: The good news is that in Jesus God has already cleansed us of all unrighteousness once and for all. How does this position allow us to live with clean hands and a pure heart in our daily lives?

Christ in you: Where is Christ calling you to humble yourself today?

Pray: Jesus, you humbled yourself before God at the cross for me. Now you are exalted in Heaven. Help me to be humble before your throne every day. Amen.