Mockery Week: What Mockers Hate Most

“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” (Proverbs 9:8)

“A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.” (Proverbs 15:12)

mock_350Remember, our Mockery Week here on the devo is not about people who are just good at “yo mamma” jokes. Mockers are men and women who make a lifestyle out of ridiculing most things and most people. In pride, mockers love to show how others are stupid.

One sign that you’ve fallen into a mocking lifestyle is your response to being corrected. Mockers hate that. And they hate the people who rebuke them. It’s not just that they can’t take being mocked in return, they also can’t stand having someone who cares about them gently point out a problem in their lives.

And mockers don’t go looking for advice from wiser people. Partly, they can’t think of anyone who is wiser than them. Partly, it would make them angry if someone like that pointed out a better approach to life. So they usually just do everything their own way.

Think: How do you respond to being corrected? Do you really appreciate it when someone is able to show you a problem in your life—or does it just make you angry at them? How often do you look for advice from people you know who are wiser than you?

Pray: Ask God to help you not to be a mocker. Ask him to help you to receive correction and rebuke with humility and gratitude. Ask him to help you to be open to hearing wisdom from other people.

Do: Look for examples in your life this week of friends or family member who respond to being correct with anger and hatred—or with gratitude.