The Scoffer

For Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Proverbs 21:24

"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.

The arrogance of the scoffer goes beyond believing that he is better than others. Even the prideful man can respect the accomplishments and ability of others. Indeed, his pride grows greater with the more credit he gives to those who come in second to him. The scoffer disdains others. He is not merely better than his neighbors; he is above them. He sees what they cannot see. He regards his neighbors as fools. He mocks them.

Christians fall easily into scoffing. We are incredulous that our neighbors cannot see what we see, somehow crediting ourselves for seeing what in truth we would be blind to without the Spirit. The Christians at Corinth fell into this sin. Paul had to write: "I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:6-7).

Scoffing is sinful. Its ugliness is magnified in the Christian faith. Examine yourself today regarding this insidious sin. Are there Christians brothers and sisters you scoff at because they just can't "get it"? Do you believe you have insight because you are smarter or more spiritually advanced? Are you unable to see yourself in them?

It is actually good to be discerning spiritually and see into the folly of others. But grief rather than scoffing should be our response. We should grieve over the folly of our brothers and sisters. We should all the more examine our hearts for our own guilt. Folly is not unique to a certain group of people; it afflicts us all and we are most blind to what lies within us.