Proverbs 22:10: Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
Insight
Here is a word for rulers. The mocker stirs up strife in the church. He must be restrained. If restraint is to be effective, he must, if possible, be thrown out (Titus 3:10–11). He must not be argued with (Proverbs 26:4). We must have no dealings with him. We must openly rebuke him in case his influence upsets the faith of the simple. If God scorns the scorner, how can we but banish him from our fellowship? But if we do cast him out, we must not cast him off. Pray for him. Abhorring the sin, pity the sinner. 1
Application
The instructions from the Apostle Paul in Romans must be applied today as a measure of church discipline, if we are serious about spiritual accountability in the Body of Christ:
Romans 16:17–18:
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
There should be zero tolerance for lying words and scoffing against a pastor or elder by another member of the Body of Christ. Do you accommodate the scoffer with a sympathetic listening ear, or do you immediately confront the scoffer with a biblical admonition? You can either be used by the Lord to purge the leaven, end the strife, and restore the sinner, or you can be used by the enemy to fan the flame of division.
Motivation
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 1 Corinthians 5:6
If men were willing to confront the mocker, the striving would cease. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please make me bold to do what is right, no matter what someone else thinks.
1. Bridges, C. (2001). Proverbs. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
