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.

Keeping Out of Trouble

For Monday, May 14, 2007
Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.

Do you seem to get enmeshed in trouble a lot? The problem may be your tongue. Don't be quick to deny it. The denier claims that the real problem is he is misunderstood. Other people are too sensitive. They misread his intentions and need to examine themselves. He is sure that other people are spreading rumors about him so that others also misunderstand what he is saying. He sees a pattern in everyone else. For whatever reason, he cannot pick up on himself being the common element of the pattern!

One reason may be that he doesn't view his tongue as the problem is that he does not yell. Indeed, in his mind he is quite courteous. He does not pick up on the tone of his voice. He is not sensitive to how insensitive his remarks are. He makes the fatal flaw of not being able to read (or choosing not to read) the emotions of others or the particular circumstances. What can be said in one place at one time cannot be said in another. What can be said to one person cannot be said to another. What can be said to a person feeling a particular emotion cannot be said when he feels another emotion.

To properly control the tongue requires being attentive to others and one's circumstances. It requires thinking and taking into consideration how what one says will be received. Sounds like a lot of work, but the real work that must be done is the examination of the heart. Controlling the tongue requires examination of one's love for God and for neighbor. It is a lot of work. But controlling the tongue so that blessing rather than trouble comes out produces great blessing to one's neighbor and for oneself.

What will your tongue bring forth today - trouble or blessing?