Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2
Scripture | Proverbs 22:10, “Drive out the mocker,
and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.”
Lesson 14 | Drive Out the Mocker
All throughout the book of Proverbs the fool is
contrasted with the wise person. And a
certain kind of fool that is often highlighted is the “mocker.” The definition for a mocker is, “someone who
ridicules others or purposely misrepresents something for the sake of
humor.”
We all know people who are mockers. In school they were called the “class
clowns.” They would ask silly questions,
make stupid faces, and bring disruption to the class. On the job they’re known as the “troublemakers.” They always need to be told 2-3x what to do
and when no one is looking they scorn the company and make fun of their bosses.
Mockers can enter into any place in your life
and sometimes we can all have the tendency to behave like one. For example, when a wife confronts her
husband about not taking out the garage and he begins to mimic her and call her
a nag, he is acting like a mocker. Also,
when a church member is told their attitude is negatively affecting others and
they go behind the pastor’s back and deride him because they want others to
think they are more intelligent than the pastor- they have become a mocker in
church.
The solution that King Solomon gives for the
mocker is simple, “drive them out.”
Meaning, remove them from all places of influence. If you have a mocker on the job, warn them,
and if they don’t change- fire them. If
there is a mocker in the classroom, instruct them and teach them to change, if
they don’t listen- kick them out of the class.
Though in marriage and family we may not be able to “kick out” the
mocker, we can have godly order in the home and drive out the mocking attitude.
As a result of driving out the mocker the Bible
says you will also drive our strife, quarrels, and insults. Therefore, though it may be hard for you to
be confrontational, the result is worth it.
Don’t let mockers ruin your day- drive them out!
Reflection | Are there mockers in your life?
Action | (1) Ask God to show you the times you might have acted in a mocking way. (2) Identify any troublemakers you may have in your life. (3) Lastly, ask God for wisdom and boldness to confront mockery when you see it in your life and in others.
One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, & Proverbs 15:8-10. Click here to read online.
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