Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Summary: Figuring out who are the mockers and who are not is not hard. We know. Sometimes we don’t know why we know, but we know.
Who hasn’t had a “mocker” get in their face now and then? We all know them even if we call them by different names. Maybe we call them “difficult” or “obnoxious.” Sometimes they are “annoying.” Oftentimes, such people are “irritating.”
The mocker is slightly arrogant, prideful, and tends to look down on others. This attitude of superiority places them on a higher plain than other people. The mocker can also be a person who is insecure about their own place in the world. Putting other people down feels “good” because it is an exercise of power that doesn’t cost anything and has very little risk.
In a very real sense, the mocker is the opposite of a Christ-follower. And who is a Christ-follower? There are two schools of thought on this question.
The first school of thought is that anyone who professes Jesus as Lord is saved. Romans 10: 9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (KJV) It is the “believe in thine heart” part that is the catch. People hear what is spoken from the lips, but God knows what is in the heart. Jesus himself says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) So color me skeptical about people who say they believe but do not act like it.
The second school of thought is summed up by Paul in 2 Timothy 2: 19, “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’” Those who turn away from wickedness turn to God.
God turns us to serve him by serving others (Matt 20: 25-28) and loving our neighbor who happens to be almost everyone on the planet, especially those people we do not like or approve of (Matt 22:39).
You know who they are. You know the people who graciously accept correction or suggestions, and you know the people who are quick to get angry if you dare to question them. This is not “judging” in the sense Jesus meant when he said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matt 7:1) That kind of judgment is the type where we “pass judgment” on someone and make a moral judgment about their character and worthiness before God. Instead, we are talking about the kind of judgment Jesus refers to when he says, “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57) If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck… Well, you know the rest. We know who is a mocker and who isn’t.
Solomon goes on to say, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you.” (Proverbs 9:8) Sounds like good advice to me.
Application: Allow the mocker space to be who they are. In God’s time, they will hopefully come to realize they need God and they need fellowship.
Food for Thought: What kind of things might be worth bringing to a mocker’s attention even if it means suffering insults and abuse?
What kind of things might be worth bringing to a mocker’s attention even if it means suffering insults and abuse?
I think if one were to encounter a mocker that is misquoting or vocalizing a misunderstood passage/event from the Bible, it would be worth bringing it to their attention, not in an argumentative way, but more to clarify. That would be worth the insults that may follow. That may be an opportunity to plant a seed. One would need to be prayerful and mindful of what they said though, and keep in mind that you aren’t trying to “win” but rather share.
James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Thank you, Chris.
Well stated!
What kind of things might be worth bringing to a mocker’s attention even if it means suffering insults and abuse?
It is important to stand firm for Christ. To be being persecuted is almost a privilege as heirs. Being a child of Christ you have to stand up in this playground of a world, to defend the gospel, to protect that what has been entrusted to you, defending the orphan, fight for the widows case. Even if the mockers are also called family.
Tim,
It is a painful truth that you are pointing out. It seems to be a truism that ‘into each family some mockers must fall.’ I wish I had understood this better years ago.
It’s been my experience, and a lot of fun, to respond with James 1:19 (Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry). If a breath can be taken and response to the mocker be done in kindness it often results in drastic de-escalation and the mocker can see he’s acting like a fool. To apply this to the Oscars non-sense.
To Chris’ point, I’m delightfully surprised by various methods that a scripture is interpreted and applied depending on the readers current situation. Not always inaccurately, but certainly different than I had, based on what I was going through at the time I’d read.
A common misapplication of scripture that seems to irritate me more than most is Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you…) as though it results in immediate relief from whatever struggles one might be going through. In reality, perseverance should be the message.
Adam,
Thank you for joining in! Great to hear from you!! Like you, I enjoy the “various methods” scripture is applied in different situations. Reading the comments here can be an encouragement and an eye opener. I am deeply grateful for those who take time to share their thoughts.
04-04-2022, Proverbs 9:7, What kind of things might be worth bringing to a mocker’s attention even if it means suffering insults and abuse?
I think Chris is onto something. How many times have we received loving correction from a more mature brother or sister. To help others as they grow is a big part of our calling.
1 Timothy 1:3-7 and 2 Timothy 2:23-26 both teach their is a time for correction.
At the same time there are the mockers, those who are committed to bring strife into the church by challenging the authenticity of many portions of Gods Word. Just walk away and eventually they leave.
Thanks Ron!
There are a lot of variation of the “mockers in the church” theme. Your advice is good! “Just walk away…”
Interesting devotion and excellent comments.
One thing in dealing with mockers is if you talk to them at all, keep it simple and focused on Christ. They may be stumbling over Christ, but they need Christ like we all do. 1 Corinthians 1: 22 – 24
Thank you, Rich.
This is a challenging topic. By taking any kind of a stand on a topic list this a person risks going off track. I appreciate the godly concern for mockers reflected in the comments here. The truth is that we can all fall into this category now and then. But the mocker I hear Solomon talk about is the hard core mocker. There is no letup. They never seem to stop and reflect. They are especially resentful of any suggestion that they might be wrong.
From what I understand. You shouldn’t try to do a lot of correction with a mocker. I think what a lot of the comments have said can be stunned up as, ‘speak truth and walk away’. The argument that would follow is not beneficial. But a single statement, that I’m certain annoys them and they think about it more than they’d admit, can do more and ensures that they had the opportunity to choose truth.
But I’d also clarify, that just because a person has mocked before doesn’t make them a mocker. A mocker is someone whose defining characteristic is mocking people. Someone who, it’s hard to see what other aspects there are of them because you can’t see past their mocking. This goes with any attribute.
Point being, a person who has mocked may accept correction and we should make the effort to correct them before they make a bad habit and become the mocker who will refuse correction…. If at all possible….
A –
Excellent observation! I appreciate you pointing out that we are all potential mockers on occasion. I also appreciate the observation that giving them an opportunity to respond in a positive way is a Christ-like response.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:15
Interesting how that verse comes sandwiched in between submit to government and submit to masters. But it’s silencing by action instead of by word or argument.
Now I’m intrigued, thanks T.