It’s important to understand that the Bible advises against continually evangelizing certain people.
Jesus Himself warned about giving pearls to persons who not only destroy them, but then actually attack the giver with violence (Matt. 7:6). Christ also told His disciples to stop arguing with some of the Pharisees who were not interested in hearing the truth (Luke 15:14).
A Biblical term given to these people is one not used much today – scoffer. The Hebrew word means to scorn and mock, and an unwillingness to receive reproof.[1] In the New Testament, the Greek meaning is the same as the Hebrew, with the idea of despising the one giving advice also thrown in.[2]
The warning about consistently engaging scoffers is seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments. A few examples include:
“He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you” (Prov. 9:8).
“A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, he will not go to the wise” (Prov. 15:12).
“And when they opposed and reviled him, he [Paul] shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles”” (Acts 18:6).
“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers [scoffers] will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts” (2 Pet. 3:3).
While the warning about such people is easy to understand, what’s oftentimes difficult for the Christian is recognizing the scoffer and heeding the Bible’s advice on dealing with them. To help with this, I’d like to pass along one method that’s worked fairly well for me.
Click here to read more.
SOURCE: Christian Post, Robin Schumacher
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