Proverbs 1:22. “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Have you ever been mocked? Have you ever been disdained for your faith? If you have, then you have met the scoffer. The scoffer does not fear God, he doesn’t listen to God, she doesn’t care about what God cares about, and they definitely do not obey God. We live in a world full of scoffers. Sadly, the world we live in actually loves scoffers. Many of the people that our society considers “cool” are just scoffers plain and simple. Often the scoffer is quite intelligent, smart, convincing, dynamic, and even funny. Ultimately, however, they see God, Christ, and the gospel as foolishness, unable to see that they themselves are the real fools.
Romans 1:22-23. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Can a Christian be a scoffer?
It’s hard to imagine that a true believer in Christ could be a scoffer that openly mocks the things of God. But it’s not hard to imagine a Christian that scoffs. You probably know a few of them. Maybe you are one of them. Christians can definitely become fleshly, carnal, and faithless at times. They can grieve the Spirit by using words that tear down their brothers and sisters in Christ. They can pursue their own agenda, tearing down others until they win. They can forsake the mind of Christ, the mindset of unity, peace, and submission.
Are you a practicing scoffer? A spiritual bully. Do you have to win every argument, use sarcasm to make your point, or openly (or secretly) mock others who are not like you. Is there any area of your life that scoffs at Christ and his will? Do you resist his grace? Is your heart hardened to forgiveness and reconciliation with someone? Do you refuse to submit to the body of Christ and its leaders?
All I can say is that if any of this describes you, repent. Right now, before you head further down this path.
Christ died for the scoffer. If you read the gospel accounts closely you’ll see that Jesus was crucified between two criminals. In the beginning BOTH criminals mocked Jesus. They scoffed at him.
Mark 15:32. Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
In the end one heart remained hardened while the other was softened by the love and faithfulness of Christ. Remember me when you come into your kingdom, came the plea. And in that moment a scoffer was born again. Today you will be with me in Paradise, Jesus replied. What made the difference? He was able to embrace the idea of union with Christ. If Christ would unite with us on our cross, can’t we unite with him in his kingdom? If Christ has remembered us, can’t we also remember him and his love for us? A love so powerful that no one who experiences it could ever scoff at it?
You: Do you scoff at others? At God? In what situations are you likely to act like a scoffer?
You in Christ: How does your position in Christ allow you to be submissive rather than a scoffer?
Christ in you: How might you put off your snarky attitude today and embrace gentleness instead?
Pray: Father, you hate my scoffing. I know in Christ I’m forgiven, but help me to let his graceful submission be mine as well, knowing that in him I don’t have to have my own way anymore. Amen.
To Live is Christ 