Do you "softly" scoff?


Proverbs 14:6--Could unintentional scoffing be standing in the way of your full benefits of wisdom?

Believe it or not we could be scoffing and not even realize it.

When we think of a scoffer we tend to think of someone who mocks or scorns or ridicules others. Those are the heavy-handed scoffers.

But there's a "softer" version of scoffing that can place a barrier between us and the sweet fruits of wisdom. The dismissive attitude.

The dismissive attitude can stem from pride--as is most of the scoffing behavior--but not in every situation. Some folks who come from a difficult childhood where they were not affirmed or loved or abused, can be dismissive of GOD's love and gifts. They believe they are not worthy of His love and favor. They don't think they're smart enough to learn GOD's wisdom.

The reality is this: No one earns GOD's love and the blessings of wisdom. It's His, and His desire is to freely give it. So, by thinking we don't deserve it, we are scoffing at His gift.

What might this look like? We read a passage about GOD wanting to bless us, or someone preaches a message of GOD's love and forgiveness, and there's that part of us that dismisses that blessing because we think it's not for us. We just put up a barrier. We don't even try to live the wisdom journey.

When we don't consider that truth is for us. We just scoffed at it.

We can be clear on this: We don't earn salvation OR GOD's love. He not only offers the salvation freely, He offers His love extravagantly. Once this fact is engraved deeply into our heart and mind, there will be less and less scoffing until one day it's gone.

I still have to remind myself that all the promises that apply to others, also apply to me. When I feel myself scoffing at GOD's ability to love me that much, I stop and remember: It's not about me and my abilities. It's about the Creator of the Universe knowing what He's doing and knowing me. I can be wise because I choose to believe He says I can be.

So, when we feel ourselves dismissing one of GOD's promises because we think we don't deserve it, pause and give ourselves a talking to. "Yes! That promise is for me!" "Yes! He loves me!" "Yes! I am His beloved child!"

May we not scoff at any of His promises, my friends.

Proverbs 14:6--A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none, but knowledge is easy to the discerning. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV#tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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