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The Bible highlights scoffers as those who speak without knowledge. The term is also repeatedly used to refer to individuals who blaspheme God and treat the things of God with disdain and irreverence. These types are also called foolish. Consider Isaiah 32:6 - For fools speak foolishness and make evil plans. They practice ungodliness and spread false teachings about the LORD. They deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty.
Nowadays, it is common to see and hear scoffers mock Jesus, the Christian faith, Christian institutions, and Christians themselves. This fellowship has not been spared, as we've witnessed the scoffers enter our midst to speak vile things about our God. Many Christians get emotional and end up entangled in debates as a result. Ungodly behavior follows and they forget that the true response must happen in the spiritual with non-carnal weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Yet, God's children must be careful how they deal with scoffers and apply the approaches prescribed in the Bible. It is important to keep anger at bay and behave in a Christ-like manner. James 1:19-20 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, /because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Apostle Peter also instructed believers to be prepared to explain to unbelievers why they hope in Christ and to do so gently and respectfully (1 Peter 3:15).
We tend to forget this given our conditioning to have a petty comeback for whoever disagrees with us. Alas, that is not what we are called to do as Christians. Instead, we are to endure. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:10 - Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. God also promised to grant righteousness and justice to those treated unfairly in Psalm 103:6. Therefore, we must allow God's word to guide what we do, say, and think when confronted by scoffers. It is not easy to do the godly thing but we have been called to be holy as our God is holy, even under tough circumstances (Matthew 5:48). The Lord who called us to Himself will not fail in helping us.
Praise be to God for His never-ending mercy, which is available for all who fail to respond in a godly fashion to scoffers. We need only repent and prayerfully consider where we went wrong in engaging mockers. We then receive wisdom and God's word from the Holy Spirit so we please God when next the scoffers appear. And as we allow the Lord to renew our minds we increasingly rely on spiritual weapons to address the challengers of our faith. Sometimes, addressing such individuals or organizations will require complete silence. God might instruct His own to engage in prayer and fasting, trusting Him to do more than they could ever have done with their lips.
This will require God's children to swallow uncomfortable insults and maltreatment, but God has interesting ways of resolving things. Remember, Saul of Tarsus hunted down members of the early church. God was not blind to this. He deftly captured the persecutor of His children and when He was done, Saul voluntarily changed his name to Paul, which means "humbled". He became a 'finished man' for God and His kingdom, enduring maltreatment and suffering to spread the gospel of Christ and transform the world.
That same God is not ignorant of the plight of modern-day Christians. He sees the scoffers. His eyes are not closed to the persecution of believers around the world. He has given His people authority over all the power of satan (Luke 10:19). Be rest assured that scoffers are not the real enemy. They are simply doing the work of the one the Bible calls "the accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12:10). So the only question is are we putting our authority to work? Are we wielding the weapons of spiritual warfare to suppress the true challenger of our faith? Or are we allowing our reaction to devolve into a verbal spat? Something that only benefits the devil.
Pick up God's powerful weapons to deal with scoffers. Invite them to taste and see that God is good (Psalm 34:8). It's their right to reject this offer, so don't be offended. Thank God and pray they come to know who He is. Also, aim to have lives that speak louder about Christ than any words ever could (Matthew 5:16). And if scoffers offend with their actions and words, forgive them, and pray, remembering who the real opponent is. Leave it to God. He is more than able to deal with everything and our responsibility is to focus on obeying Him in all things. No matter what scoffers do or say.
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