Mockery Week: Meet Mr. Mocker

“The proud and arrogant man — ‘Mocker’ is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.” (Proverbs 21:24)

Our final devo for “Mockery Week” gets right to the root of the sin behind being a mocker: Pride. But not just any pride: “overweening pride.” Excessive pride. Extravagant pride. Presumptuous pride.

mock_350When I mock someone in a mean way—labeling her idea or effort or even her directly as stupid or worthless—I reveal way more about me than that person. I show my deep belief that I am better, smarter, cleverer. That kind of pride is shocking, and God HATES it.

Here’s the good news: If you sometimes live as a mocker, falling into the pattern of belittling people and ideas (and maybe even the things of God) almost automatically, you can change your name from “Mocker” to “Humble” with God’s help. You can trade kindness for scoffing. Wisdom will help you.

Think: Are there any people in your life who turn you off with their habit of mocking anything and everything? Do you think it’s easier to catch others doing this than it is to see it in ourselves?

Pray: Ask God to help you never to earn the name “Mocker.” Ask him to help you to be humble even when other people say things you think are stupid.

Do: Practice this for a few days: Carry a little notebook with you. When you say something that might qualify as mocking, write it down. You might be surprised how much more arrogant your words look on paper than they sounded coming out of your mouth.