I have a confession. Over the past few days, and I am sure plenty of times before, I have mocked some of Gods children. In my heart I have laughed at what I thought to be their foolishness. I have gotten annoyed with having to explain, what I considered to be simple or common sense to them. I have made faces and rolled my eyes behind their backs. I have even made a negative comment or mocked them in private. I know right, shame on me.

This morning I read Proverbs 17. Verse 5 says, “Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice in the misfortune of others will be punished. The word poor can mean lacking sufficient money or worse than is usual, expected, or desirable; of a low or inferior standard or quality. I replaced the word poor in this verse with whatever I found myself thinking I was superior in. We can feel superior, and can actually be superior, in computer knowledge, biblical knowledge, money, understanding, time management, or anything else. The problem is not how much of something you have but how you see and treat others as a result of what you have.

I was convicted! Superior means higher in rank, status, or quality. I may have a higher quality of computer knowledge than someone else but I am not superior to that person. I can and should not mock that person because they have inferior computer knowledge than me. When we mock others we are insulting God. That hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized that I have to be intentional in seeing all of Gods children the way He sees them, in ever area of their lives. By default my heart is sinful. I have to be alert and active in how I treat others. Whether they know my thoughts or reaction or not, God does.

Questions:

What area of your life do you feel superior to others?

Do you treat others as inferior as a result?

Have you mocked anyone lately? Whether in your heart or outwardly?

Do you see it as an insult to God?