Scoffers

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1(ESV).

As I begin each year with fasting, I put aside distractions and things that keep me from God’s word. One of those things for me is social media. Last year, in particular, I engaged in time online in a specific app, where opinions are freely expressed. I was curious to see people’s views on the things happening in the world and soon found myself spending way too much time reading opinions that did not align with God’s word. I know I had a choice in what to follow and read, but I just couldn’t resist the temptation to jump on and see what was being said. It was so easy to get pulled into these conversations and even to give them a “like.”

During the beginning of the year, I felt God saying to me, do not sit in the seat of scoffers, and Psalm 1:1 came to my mind. I heard it over and over again until finally, I listened and got rid of the app completely. I felt a conviction – why was I allowing this app to have so much control over me that I couldn’t even venture into expressing my own opinion for fear of others’ responses. I was not willing to let this become an idol in my life, nor allow it to have control over me. I did not like the feelings that came with it either; I felt anger towards things that were said and found myself laughing at some things and agreeing with things that weren’t right!

The NIV version of Psalm 1:1 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”

Oh, the joys – my heart longs for joy, and I long to be blessed. If I am spending time seated with scoffers, taking what they say to heart, that means I am not experiencing the fullness of joy. This is not how we delight in God’s word.

Stand around with sinners – by engaging in this online talk, I was basically standing around with sinners, which also puts separation between God and me. Sin separates us from God.

Join in with mockers – I need to be careful with what I say, especially to the world. Am I showing them that I am part of God’s family with my words? Am I guarding my heart? Is what is coming out of my mouth, which proceeds from my heart, showing others a heart for God?

I have realized that social media can be a good way to connect with others and share God’s love, but it can also be used in ways that do not align with God’s word. The word even teaches us in Proverbs 9:7 that “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt”. Isn’t that the truth! There will always be those who disagree with us. We can spend so much time arguing our opinions, which will get us nowhere. There will also be times when it is just best to remain silent.

I would much rather heed the direction in Proverbs 9:8, which says, “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”

We need courage when facing scoffers who jeer at our faith and make comments about it, and the best way to do that is to know God’s word and learn from Jesus how He lived His life and how He endured scoffers.

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