The Scorner, The Faithful, and the Observer
Good Morning,
From the very beginning in the garden, Satan has cast doubt on anyone or anything faithful or respectable.
Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Had God ever misled Adam and Eve? No! Had the Lord ever given Adam or Eve any reason to doubt Him? Of course, not! Yet, Eve doubted the Faithful One and listened to the scorner who was “unknown.”
In this story, as in countless others, we have the scorner – Satan, the Faithful One – God, and the observer – Eve.
Something in the nature of man causes him to envy those in authority, those with power, and those who are respected by others. Mankind forever considers himself knowledgeable, trustworthy, and perhaps, even underrated by those around them.
It is not uncommon for one to sit wondering why he did not get the promotion or the advancement; we might even think he has done nothing to deserve it. The observer simply thinks he should have it. When the observer hears slanderous words about the faithful who has position, influence, or power, they often readily receive those ill-spoken words – even though the one who is faithful never gave them any reason to doubt them.
The scorner has never given any reason to be trusted. Yet the carnal nature of man will habitually listen to the scorner. Whether it be a youth concerning teachers or parents, or adults regarding the boss, political, or spiritual leader.
Sadly, almost all of us have heard a scornful person maligning the faithful for their own gain of position or money. We have watched in movies and read in books where corrupt scorners slander someone who is faithful. Many times, we have mentally shouted “NO, DO NOT LISTEN!” In most cases, we see the scorner ending up, shamed, punished, and often dead. Sadly, when our turn comes to hearken to critical words about the faithful, we tend to listen. Maybe not believe, but we consider them.
Remember the words of our Lord?
John 8:46 “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?”
Tell me what you have seen and know to be wrong. The same was said by Samuel:
1 Samuel 12:3 “Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.”
Remember the three people: the scorner, the faithful, and the observer. We sit and observe; may we have the decency to trust the faithful. Our world wants to be ready to accuse and slander everyone – it seems most of all the faithful. I simply cannot live like that.
Why would we listen to the unproven? Why would we not identify their scorn and slander as the works of the wicked one? It may be our own sinful nature that wants to believe some of the ill-chosen words. It may be that we simply doubt if people are as good as they appear to be. We also tend to side with the underdog and think it noble to try to trust the scorner, even though he has given us no reason to believe in him.
Personally, I think it wise to shut down any conversation in which the slanderer brings accusation against the faithful, or even subtle innuendos. When, over decades, one has proven themselves true, a prudent man would not entertain the slanderous report or the evil accusation.
One might say that perhaps the one who is faithful did stumble. Of course, that is possible, but when one has proven himself faithful over decades, why would we not give them our trust until proven guilty? (Innocent until proven guilty is a lost American ideal.) Also, consider the scorner, whom we know little about; they will throw any accusation – it is in their nature. Would it not be common decency to believe in the credibility of the time-tested faithful one? Why not trust the reputable rather than heed the word of the unknown.
I simply refuse to entertain the words of a critic. If their criticism eventually be revealed to be a slanderous lie, I will be very happy that I refused to receive their words. If by chance they are true, then there is time to deal with that as well.
Pastor