“Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares . . . “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:20, 22)
Proverbs occasionally pictures Wisdom as a woman inviting people to become wise. In today’s verse, Wisdom wonders why anyone would want to keep being a fool. She doesn’t get the joy of being a mocker.
I wonder what percentage of social media qualifies as exercises in mockery. The posters see it as their job in life to point out the stupidity of nearly everything and everyone they come across. And they love it. It “delights” them.
Why? For one thing, it’s easy to mock ideas and people. It’s not hard to put something down. And it makes you feel smarter and more powerful than those you attack. Mockery gives the mocker the illusion of superiority, and that feels great. Wisdom says, “You can do better; you can actually become wise instead of just feeling smarter than those you mock.”
Think: Do you know (or have you been) someone who just seems to love to mock people? Why is it so much fun? How is it different from real wisdom?
Pray: Ask God to help you not to enjoy mocking people or ideas or especially his truth in hurtful or worthless ways.
Do: If you watch TV this week, see if you notice any professional mockers.