How can we support those who feel mocked for their faith, like Job? Setting: Job’s Cry from the Ash Heap Job 12:4 records Job’s lament: “I am a laughingstock to my friend, I who called upon God and He answered. The righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock.” Job’s righteousness became the very reason he was mocked. His friends misread his suffering and only deepened his pain. Recognizing the Wound of Mockery • Mockery attacks identity: It tells believers they are foolish for trusting God. • Mockery isolates: It can tempt sufferers to withdraw, thinking no one understands (Psalm 69:20). • Mockery distorts theology: It whispers that faithfulness is pointless (Malachi 3:14-15). Four Ways to Stand with the Mocked 1. Listen before you speak (James 1:19). 2. Validate their faithfulness rather than investigate their failure (Job 16:4-5). 3. Protect them from further scorn (Proverbs 31:8). 4. Speak God’s promises into the wound (Isaiah 41:10). Words Grounded in Truth • Romans 8:1: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” • Psalm 34:5: “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.” • 1 Peter 4:14: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Use these verses to replace the liar’s narrative with God’s verdict. Presence that Mirrors Christ • Sit close—Job’s friends helped most when they “sat down with him on the ground seven days” in silence (Job 2:13). • Share life—Hebrews 10:24-25 urges meeting together to “stir up one another to love and good works.” • Serve tangible needs—Galatians 6:2: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Guarding Our Tongues in the Crowd • Refuse gossip: Proverbs 18:8 warns that whispered words wound deeply. • Confront mockers: Ephesians 5:11 calls us to “expose” unfruitful deeds of darkness. • Model honoring speech: Colossians 4:6—“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Praying with Expectation • Pray for perseverance (2 Thessalonians 3:5). • Pray for comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). • Pray for the mockers’ repentance (Matthew 5:44). Reminding Them of the Final Vindication • Revelation 21:4 promises an end to all tears and pain. • 2 Timothy 4:8 speaks of the “crown of righteousness” awaiting those who remain faithful. • James 5:11 reminds us, “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and seen the outcome from the Lord—the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” Stand beside the mocked, echoing heaven’s verdict: their faith is not wasted, their hope is not foolish, and their God will not fail to honor them. |
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