The Call of Wisdom

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the market she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks; “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” 

Proverbs 1:20-23

Scoffer. A word we don’t often talk about, but one that has been on my heart the past few days.  I have been guilty of scoffing and I would guess you have been too. The word translated "scoffer" in English can mean "one who mocks, ridicules, or scorns the belief of another.” When I study the definition of scoffer I immediately think of pride. We can only mock, ridicule, and scorn when we are struggling with a measure of pride. How hurtful this can be. Not only to ourselves, but to others.  

In Hebrew, the word translated "scoffer" or "mocker" can also mean "ambassador." So a scoffer is one who not only disagrees with an idea, but he also considers himself an ambassador for the opposing idea. He cannot rest until he has demonstrated the foolishness of any idea not his own. A scoffer voices his disagreement, ridicules all who stand against him, and actively recruits others to join his side. gotquestions.org 
The term is not getting any prettier is it?  Can you relate?

Scoffing often occurs in my own life when I think I know more than you. When I let pride creep in and arrogance lead. It happens when I do not get my way, when things out of my control happen that I disagree with it, or when you let me down. It can also be a form of protection when I feel insecure, jealous, or convicted. It’s the result of a serious sin problem called pride.  It’s sinful and must be stopped.

 

We live in a society that molds us to want control, authority, and esteem. We sinfully twist that into a competitive way of life where if you are doing better than me we are tempted to scoff.  If we feel convicted or threatened or less than, we scoff. I see it every day. In me and in you. 

“Be not wise in your own eyes” Proverbs 3:7
“Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate” Proverbs 8:13
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers" Proverbs 1:1

We must be watchful and examine our hearts.  Let us confess our sins, admit to arrogance and pride, seek forgiveness, and turn from our evil ways. When we catch our selves repeating old sinful habits, let's stop, turn, and set up guards to help us stay focused on our Savior. 
Maybe that means practicing silence. Or possibly taking time to fast for a period to pray and refocus on what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Try memorizing a verse. God’s word is our sword. We need to use it by hiding his word in our heart. That’s how we fight and win battles against the flesh.

When we uproot sin from our lives, walls fall down. The heavenly Father pulls us in and his presence floods our soul. Please, won’t you seek Him today and experience his great, great love?