Scoffers and Mockers again- how to respond?

Have you been mocked for being Christian? For quoting the bible, or reading the bible in public? For praying in public before a meal? For your stance against sin? If you haven't, then be prepared, the bible says it's coming, even to those living the most reclusive or apathetic life. You will be mocked and your faith will be scoffed at. The question is, how will you handle it?

End-Time Scoffers Prophesied

There is an increasing number of scholars and writers openly challenging fundamental teachings of the Bible. This should come as no surprise to those who know Scripture. God said that "scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts" (2 Peter 3:1–6).

The Bible states that "in the last days men will have a form of godliness but denying its power" and will deny that "all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:1–17).

We see this more and more, people say that the bible was written by men with finite minds and their own agendas. I hear this a lot. Be prepared for someone to say this to you.

In addition, Paul predicted that "the time will come when… they will have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:1–5). New age mythology is replacing fundamental truths, and anyone who dares rebuke this new age push is said to be "intolerant" while at the same time those who promote it are exactly intolerant of Christianity or its public espousal by anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Mockery is nothing new though. Solomon recognized this evil in his day. In our day, it continues to be a cultural and personal problem. Some people, Christians included, make mockery a main mode of discourse and a primary stance in life. They can hardly talk without adding a snide aside to every sentence. This is very wrong. Followers of Jesus are taught not to mock others, but to let our speech be with grace always, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Our speech should be a blessing to others (1 Peter 3:8-12).

Brothers and sisters, be prepared for mocking and be ready to reply with grace and love. I urge readiness ahead of time because initially coming across a person who is snidely mocking disrupts the conversational flow. If you are unprepared, emotions tend to take over and replies have less tendency to be of loving grace seasoned with salt!

How will you reply to a scoffer? Do you have one area in the bible in which you are interested? Say, young earth defense, or creationism, or the resurrection? Study in that area and prepare to be a good Christian apologist to those who scoff at what they will see as dubious claims of Christianity in the face of all their hard 'science.'

And remember that the bible has much to say about mockers. After reading how God sees them, we need be less concerned with our own hurt feelings, knowing their pain in being without Jesus. Above all remember the scoffing and mocking that Jesus endured as they stripped Him, thrust a crown of thorns on His head, and mocked Him all the way to the cross. Even as he hung dying, the jeering voices were among the last He heard before it was finished.

Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Proverbs 1:22
How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 24:9
The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker.