For some reason the word scoffer has been in my brain for the past
couple of weeks.
A "scoffer" is defined as someone who makes fun of someone or
something or mocks someone or something, usually about religious or
moral values. The definition of "to scoff" is to express scorn or
derision or content.
(https://www.google.com/search?q=define+scoffer)
Strong word! Not a good thing to do.
I think that I'm thinking about this word because of seeing it being
done in so many places. Commercials, especially political commercials
about opponents of a political figure. Comedians routinely do this
and because it's so outrageous people laugh, but I don't think they
understand or even care about the damage that they do to the someone
that they scoff at or even the damage to their own lives as they
scoff.
I remember the word scoffer from Psalm 1 in the Bible. Psalm 1 says
that a man is blessed when he does not walk in the counsel of the
ungodly or stand in the path of sinners or sit in the seat of
scoffers. (https://www.bible.com/bible/97/PSA.1.MSG)
Sometimes I have to pause and not express an opinion about something
that I really don't need to have an opinion about. Sports teams and
outcomes, certain products that I don't ever see myself using, and
stuff like that. People standing on the side of the road. People
that walk by in a store or that I see in a parking lot. Other
drivers, especially other drivers.
I don't need to have an opinion about any of those people. There is
no need for me to scoff and express derision and scorn about them or
toward them. Not very loving or Christian if I do that.
I try to take delight in the law of the Lord. I take a lot more
delight in the teachings of Jesus who said to "love your neighbor like
you love yourself". And "to love the Lord your God with all your
heart, soul, mind, and strength".
So I try hard not to scoff at things. In today's society that's
becoming more and more challenging.