6 Forsake foolishness and live,
      And go in the way of understanding.
       7 “ He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
      And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
       8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
      Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
       9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
      Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
       10 “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
      And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
       11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
      And years of life will be added to you.
       12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
      And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
(Proverbs 9:6-12)

Once again we are in the Book of Proverbs and we uncover another character to whom Solomon refers as "the scoffer." This is an unusual term. It sounds a lot like "cougher"- the kind of person who interrupts my sermons with their constant hacking. It also sounds a little bit like "scuffer"- the kind of person who wears black-soled shoes and walks over a newly waxed floor in the grocery store. How I used to hate that all the time when I worked at the Food Lion grocery chain off of Tidewater Drive in Norfolk, Virginia back about 1980. I would buff the floor all night and by the same time the next day, "scuffers" would make long black lines in my shining white floor. However, a scoffer will do about the spiritual equivalent on my heart if I'm not careful.

One dictionary defines the scoffer as
1. an expression of mocking contempt, scorn, or derision; jeer
2. an object of mocking contempt, scorn, etc.

The scoffer will usually enjoy making fun and mocking what you believe. This is especially true if you desire to live a life that pleases the Lord. Scoffers will come out at this time to try to discourage you- to poke fun of you and for what you believe. They have disdain for your lifestyle. Why? Because when they look at your life, they see purity and a desire for holy living. This cries out against them because they are under conviction by the Holy Spirit. Yet their rebellious heart will not accept this. They value no one else's opinion but their own. With ridicule and dismissively they will reject the wisdom you try to impart to them with contempt. You try to tell them what is right and all they will do is try to throw it back in your face. When you try to correct the scoffer you can expect him to abuse you in some way. This is because the scoffer is right in his own eyes and he will always, in his own pride, try to find a way to justify himself. A wise man will not do so. He will take what you tell him, even if it is not all that accurate, and find something in it in which he can benefit. If you show a wise man where he is wrong, he will love you and not hate you for it. He will not get defensive, angry, or take what you said to him as an affront.

Granted, there is a way to talk to people- and the wisdom and attitude in which you dole out criticism will greatly determine the type of reception that you get. Only don't expect much when you try to talk to the scoffer. Jesus called it "casting pearls before swine" who had no appreciation for what you are telling them. You may as well just save your breath because their heart is just not ready to change. In fact don't be surprised if the scoffer should want to retaliate with brute force. There is no reasoning with the scoffer.

Have you ever encountered a scoffer? Are you dealing with one right now? Can you do anything about them? You can probably do little more for them but to pray. Even scoffers are not beyond hope. One scoffer who stands out in my mind played in the same section in the high school band that I did. We were asked to play for an anniversary service at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, near Fort Story. I must admit it was not the most exciting venues we were ever asked to attend, but most of us sat patiently while a very dry, formal religious service was being conducted. The whole time, however, a young man next to me scoffed at the gestures and gyrations of the priests doing the service. He mocked them under his breath with curse words and obscenities- not loud enough for them to hear, but clearly loud enough for those in my section to know his utter contempt for religious things. He even raised his hand in the direction of the platform, and made an obscene gesture. In his scorn, he got several on my row to snicker and make jokes. Apparently, our band director began to hear what was going on, and he snapped his head around and made a scowl of disapproval in our direction. Finally I told the kid something like, "Will you shut up!" That was when he started in on me. "What, you one of these Jesus freaks? A holy Joe or something why don't you go up there and join in with their hocus-pocus?" Finally the point came where we had to play our song, and the derisive kid said no more. I understood the truth of what Solomon meant in this proverb.

Jump ahead thirty years later and I got an email from this one-time scoffer. Like a bolt out of the blue he recognized me on Facebook and told me of his conversion experience twenty some years before, and how God had called him in the ministry. He serves as a staff member of a large church where he lives. He is a brilliant apologist and contender for the faith. He said in his message, "I remember when you tried to point out my being disrespectful and I was rude to you. Thanks for standing up to my foolishness with your boldness in Christ. I have never forgotten it." I tell you this story to tell you that scoffers are not beyond hope, but they need our prayers that God will change their hearts so that they may be won to the Savior.

Prayer: Dear God, if I have ever been a scoffer, please forgive me. Help me repent of my scornful arrogance that I would never cause anyone to stumble because of my attitude. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Have a blessed day!