Mocking God
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Mocking God is a serious offense in the biblical narrative, reflecting a heart of irreverence and rebellion against the Creator. Throughout Scripture, mocking God is depicted as an act of defiance and disbelief, often leading to divine judgment.

Biblical Instances and Warnings

One of the most direct warnings against mocking God is found in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:7 , "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This passage underscores the principle of divine justice, emphasizing that God cannot be ridiculed or scorned without consequence.

In the Old Testament, mocking God is often associated with idolatry and the rejection of His commandments. The Israelites, when they turned to other gods, were essentially mocking the one true God who had delivered them from Egypt. In 2 Kings 19:22 , the prophet Isaiah confronts the Assyrian king Sennacherib, saying, "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!"

Examples of Mockery

The Bible provides several examples of individuals and groups who mocked God, often leading to their downfall. In 2 Chronicles 36:16 , the chronicler recounts the persistent rebellion of the people of Judah: "But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD rose against His people, until there was no remedy." This passage highlights the danger of dismissing God's warnings and the inevitable judgment that follows.

Another notable instance is found in the New Testament during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Roman soldiers, along with some of the Jewish leaders, mocked Jesus, questioning His divine authority and kingship. Matthew 27:29-31 describes this scene: "And they twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and put a staff in His right hand. Then they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They spat on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly."

Theological Implications

Mocking God is not merely an outward act but reflects an inward condition of the heart. It signifies a lack of fear and reverence for God, which is foundational to a right relationship with Him. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Those who mock God are often described as fools in biblical literature, highlighting their spiritual blindness and moral folly.

The act of mocking God also reveals a misunderstanding of His nature and character. God is portrayed in Scripture as holy, just, and sovereign. To mock Him is to challenge these attributes, often out of pride or ignorance. The Bible consistently affirms that God will not be mocked without consequence, as His justice will ultimately prevail.

Response to Mockery

Believers are called to respond to mockery with patience and faithfulness, trusting in God's ultimate justice. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, faced mockery and scorn yet responded with grace and truth. 1 Peter 2:23 reflects on Christ's response: "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

Christians are encouraged to follow Christ's example, maintaining their witness and integrity even in the face of ridicule. Romans 12:19 advises, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" This perspective allows believers to rest in the assurance that God will address all forms of mockery in His perfect timing.
Topical Bible Verses
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
Topicalbible.org

Library

If, Then, You Really Intend to do an Act of Repentance for those ...
... for those evil speeches of yours, if you are not merely mocking us by ... and do penance
for this great and foul blasphemy; for it is indeed blasphemy against God. ...
/.../11 if then you really.htm

God is Besought for It, Because it is his Gift.
... Is that, too, a mocking petition, when that is asked from Him which it is known
that ... as that giving of thanks is a mockery, if thanks are given to God for that ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 3 god is besought for.htm

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
... of repentance for the time, and yet didst fall into the same sins again and again;
and that all thy repentance was but feigned, and a mocking of God; and that ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations against despair or doubting.htm

Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
... will not cant; I will not be a hypocrite; and if I accuse myself of sins which I
have not committed, it seems to me that I shall be mocking God, and deceiving ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xi self-respect and self-righteousness.htm

Sufficient Grace of the Holy Spirit is Bestowed on those to whom ...
... bestowed on those to whom the gospel is preached, whosoever they may be; so that,
if they will, they may believe: otherwise, God would only be mocking mankind. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article viii sufficient grace of.htm

Argument: Tortures Most Unjustly Inflicted for the Confession of ...
... is the spectacle to God when a Christian does battle with pain; when he is drawn
up against threats, and punishments, and tortures; when, mocking [1834] the ...
/.../chapter xxxvii argument tortures most unjustly.htm

O God My God, what Miseries and Mockeries did I Now Experience...
... O God my God, what miseries and mockeries did I now experience, when obedience to ...
throughout all lands, men call on Thee with extreme dread), mocking at those ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ix o god my.htm

Third Sunday in Advent and it Shall be Said in that Day, Lo, this ...
... And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and
He will save us: this is the Lord; we have ... The scorn of every mocking tongue ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/third sunday in advent and.htm

The More Excellent Way
... Now I do not condemn those who proceed thus (though many do,) as mocking God; though
they have used the same form, without any variation, for twenty or thirty ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 89 the more excellent.htm

Apprehending God
... and knowing what we are about, deliberately choose the Kingdom of God as our ... object
of this world's disdain and the subject of the drunkard's mocking song, is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/iv apprehending god.htm

Resources
Why does God allow people to mock Him? | GotQuestions.org

Why is God going to send a strong delusion in the end times? | GotQuestions.org

What is cultural appropriation? | GotQuestions.org

Mocking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Mocking

Mocking God

Mocking: Elijah Mocks the Priests of Baal

Mocking: Figurative

Mocking: Ishmael Mocks Sarah

Mocking: some Boys Mock Elisha

Mocking: The Ammonites Mock God

Mocking: The Hardened Wicked People Mock

Mocking: The Persecutors of Jesus Mock Him

Mocking: The Tormentors of Job Mock

Mocking: Tyre Mocks Jerusalem

Mocking: Zedekiah Mocks Micaiah

Related Terms

Mocker (11 Occurrences)

Mock (43 Occurrences)

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)

Jeering (2 Occurrences)

Likewise (149 Occurrences)

Mocked (40 Occurrences)

Teachers (87 Occurrences)

Along (500 Occurrences)

Laughingstock (10 Occurrences)

Mocketh (10 Occurrences)

Hagar (15 Occurrences)

Scorn (65 Occurrences)

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Offered (320 Occurrences)

Jeers (1 Occurrence)

Lip (20 Occurrences)

Laughing (38 Occurrences)

Gazing-stock (2 Occurrences)

Games (2 Occurrences)

Gazingstock (2 Occurrences)

Imprisonment (15 Occurrences)

Flogging (9 Occurrences)

Fun (1 Occurrence)

Rejoices (30 Occurrences)

Elders (203 Occurrences)

Egyptian (35 Occurrences)

Experienced (23 Occurrences)

Deceitfully (22 Occurrences)

Dally

Despising (25 Occurrences)

Destroying (64 Occurrences)

March (41 Occurrences)

Mockings (2 Occurrences)

Plaiting (3 Occurrences)

Palms (20 Occurrences)

Plaited (12 Occurrences)

Bear (425 Occurrences)

Can't (180 Occurrences)

Acquitted (24 Occurrences)

Scourging (5 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Stammerer

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Scoff (18 Occurrences)

Laughter (14 Occurrences)

Chief (696 Occurrences)

Bonds (46 Occurrences)

Reproached (27 Occurrences)

Poison (17 Occurrences)

Sport (99 Occurrences)

Scribes (85 Occurrences)

Moreover (356 Occurrences)

Holding (62 Occurrences)

Tried (96 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Themselves (911 Occurrences)

Save (375 Occurrences)

Rising (162 Occurrences)

Suffered (88 Occurrences)

Manner (351 Occurrences)

Filled (336 Occurrences)

Borne (172 Occurrences)

Acting (102 Occurrences)

Priests (451 Occurrences)

Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)

Voice (651 Occurrences)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Able (730 Occurrences)

Shed (73 Occurrences)

Countries (86 Occurrences)

Object (76 Occurrences)

Close (186 Occurrences)

Laughing-stock (3 Occurrences)

Born (228 Occurrences)

Yes (511 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Defiled (119 Occurrences)

Pontius (4 Occurrences)

Pilate (60 Occurrences)

Mocking and Despising
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