First Peter 2:17 says, “Honour all men.” Because God created all men and women in His image, all people inherently deserve to be treated with respect and honor. Many people today ridicule those they disagree with; they make jokes about those who are different from themselves; and they mock those who are weaker than they are. This is apparent in the insults hurled against political opponents, in the grumbling in the break room about the boss, and in the bullying on the playground.
The truth is, we can disagree with someone and still respect them. Someone can be very different from us and we can still honor them as image-bearers of God. We can respect the rights and privacy of all people, regardless of their status in society. Followers of Christ are called to do so. For Christians, ridiculing others is never acceptable.
Respect for others is taught in the Golden Rule: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). We want others to respect us. We should give the same to them.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Showing respect to others has the power to bless them. Showing disrespect has the power to destroy. One word of contempt for others can cause lasting wounds. Jesus said, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Thoughtless mockery and casual jesting can have devastating effects on others. And God will hold us accountable.
Respect is both a thought and an act. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). My thought life is going to produce actions. So if I am going to develop respect, I have to develop my thinking patterns. That’s the root of it. Respect is nothing more and nothing less than a regard for others and an appreciation of worth in others. It is honor and esteem. It is showing consideration for others.
On the other hand, to mock means “to ridicule and make fun of, to treat with contempt, to revile and jeer at, to taunt and to laugh at, to sneer, to poke fun, to imitate with derision, to mimic with laughter, to scoff or scorn.”
Young people can be especially cruel in mocking one another. As parents, you should not do it and you should not allow your children to do it to each other or to others or about others. One of the major challenges of most young people is to learn how to respond to being mocked and how to avoid doing it themselves. The ridicule of mockery is one of Satan’s most effective weapons to discourage and defeat Christians. It can leave emotional scars on any person of any age.
Note with me some verses from the Bible about this subject of mockery:
“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour” (Proverbs 14:9).
“Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 17:5).
“The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Proverbs 30:17).
“And [Elisha] went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head” (2 Kings 2:23).
“And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon [Jesus’] head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29).
1. Goliath: The Giant Who Mocked
By recognizing the characteristics of a mocker and avoiding them in our thinking and acting, this giant of mockery can be conquered. Notice some of the characteristics of this mocker:
a. He is sensitive to physical differences
“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span” (1 Samuel 17:4).
Goliath was a big, tall man. He mocked David for his lack of physical development. “And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance” (1 Samuel 17:42).
Often the bully on the playground is the one who is the biggest, or the smallest. The more sensitive a person is to differences between himself and others, the more he tends to be self-conscious and attempts to divert ridicule by mocking others.
b. He is fearful of being mocked himself
Goliath wore a full set of armor (1 Samuel 17:5-6). Even though Goliath was the largest and most powerful man in the Philistine camp, he went to great lengths to protect himself. He must have felt vulnerable because it is estimated that he hauled around 272 pounds of self-protection. One who mocks others is usually very sensitive to any ridicule to himself. Mockery can be one way a fearful and insecure person protects himself.
c. His words are sharp and destructive
Goliath carried a spear (1 Samuel 17:7). Goliath’s spear was not only sharp but also, due to its size and weight, could inflict a fatal blow. The words of a mocker are described in Scripture as spears and arrows and sharp swords. Psalm 57:4 says, “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” A mocker is usually quick and skillful with his sharp wit and piercing, jabbing words. For example, accusations beginning with “you never” or “you always” are usually destructive untruths.
d. He needs others for support
First Samuel 17:7 says, “And one bearing a shield went before him.” It is interesting that with all of Goliath’s strength and protection, he had his armor bearer go before him even though his armor bearer was probably only half his height. When a mocker is alone, he will usually refrain from mocking. When he has the support of others, he can become bold and vicious.
e. He scorns weaknesses in authorities
“And [Goliath] stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul?” (1 Samuel 17:8).
Saul was the tallest man in Israel (1 Samuel 10:23) and was the obvious one to accept the challenge of Goliath. But Saul was afraid and refused to step forward and meet the challenge. So Goliath portrayed himself as his own man, but he ridiculed the Israelites as “servants of Saul,” that is, servants of a weak leader.
f. He singles out a victim and states the terms
Goliath said, “Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us” (1 Samuel 17:8-9).
Goliath could not have resisted the whole Israelite army, but he felt safe in challenging one man. Goliath was also vulnerable. So he stated the terms of the contest to protect himself and to hide his vulnerability. The goal of a mocker is to bring others under his domination by putting fear into their hearts.
Goliath’s approach was effective with Israel. “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).
2. David’s Response to the Mocking Giant
We can learn some important lessons about how to respond when we are mocked by looking at David’s response to the mocking giant.
a. Trade in your reputation for Christ’s
David said to Goliath, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45).
Each of us tends to be very concerned about what others think of us. We tend to be protective of our own reputations, and we are alarmed and fearful when we are attacked. God is aware of this vulnerability and so God invites us to turn our reputations over to Him. In practical terms, this means that we take up God’s reputation as the one which we defend and do all things for His glory, not our own. We literally trade in our reputation for His.
b. Determine who is being mocked
The Philistine mocked David because of his youth and because of his choice of weapons (1 Samuel 17:42-43). But David recognized that Goliath was not merely mocking him or the armies of Israel. Goliath was mocking God (1 Samuel 17:45).
If you receive ridicule because of an unchangeable feature, it is not you who is being mocked, but rather God who made you.
If you are being mocked for scriptural convictions, you are not the target of the mockery. The Lord is being attacked. Many times people mock godly living because they have a guilty conscience. The Holy Spirit convicts them of the need to change.
If, on the other hand, I, or you, communicate these convictions with an attitude of pride or self-righteousness, then any mimicking or ridiculing should serve as a rebuke to us. In that case we should receive mocking in silent repentance. First Peter 2:20 says, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
c. Ask God to rebuke scorning mockers
David conquered Goliath because he saw the battle from God’s perspective. Goliath thought that he was defying the armies of Israel. But David knew that Goliath was really defying the armies of the living God. David saw that Goliath was mocking God, not man (1 Samuel 17:10,26,45). David did not allow the giant’s words to make him afraid, but was able to confidently say, “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).
Many times we will need to let God deal with mockers. Romans 12:19 says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Verses 8 and 9 of Jude say, “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
In order to help us see a battle from God’s perspective, read Psalm 35, and on a sheet of paper list in one column all the statements in the psalm which are your responsibilities, and in a second column list all the statements that are God’s responsibilities.
d. Ask close friends to rebuke you for mocking
Sometimes we are not aware that the words we use actually mock or scorn others. This is especially true when we make jokes about other people. When we make laughter about an unchangeable characteristic in another person or group, we are guilty of mockery.
We will be a wise person if we ask our spouse, our parents, or a close friend to rebuke us if they ever hear us mocking another person or group. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” It should be our goal to speak to others as we desire to be spoken to.
3. Developing an Attitude of Respect
We would like to look at several areas where we should develop respect.
a. We need to respect those in authority
This is always, in every age, something that is challenged. It affects each of us, no matter what our age or station in life. It is needed in the home, at school, in the church, in the workplace, and in the community.
At home:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and thy mother; which is the first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:1-2).
In the workplace:
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God” (Colossians 3:22).
In the community:
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:1-7).
“Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people” (Acts 23:5).
In the church:
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7).
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
b. We need to respect the personal rights of others
Two people have a secret, something very confidential. They’ve agreed not to tell anyone. But a third person learns of it, and that person pries into the matter and coaxes them to tell him. He has no consideration for the other two. That’s disrespect.
There is a sense in which all of us have a right to our own personal thinking. One of the areas that we need to develop—in our home life, in the church, and in the society around us—is to have respect for others’ personal rights.
c. We need to respect the property of others
Is it respectful to carve initials on church benches, tables, or furnishings? Some barns have dates or initials of builders carved in the woodwork. That is one thing. But to have church furniture marked or chewing gum pasted under the seat is very disrespectful. Initials, markings, or faces marked in songbooks or schoolbooks are very disrespectful. They are the property of others.
In the business setting or in the workplace, how do we handle our employer’s equipment? As an employee, we are a servant. True servants are excited about making their employer successful.
d. We need to respect the reputation of others
It is possible to say and speak the truth in the wrong way. That becomes very dishonoring. It is done wholesale in the society around us. To speak disrespectfully is a sign of ill will and may speak badly about you too.
e. We need to respect the aged
So often when we are seven or eight years old, we think that Dad, who is now thirty, has some outdated notions. But you know, when we get to be thirty, we are just about like Dad was. And when we get to be thirty, we think, How did Granddad ever get that way? But when we get to be Granddad’s age, we’ll be just about like him too. Let’s develop respect for the aging. Treat them now like you hope your children will respect and treat you when you come to that time of life.
f. We need to respect those who have a handicap
It is so easy to look down on those who are not able to do certain things or who cannot keep up with others. Those who naturally excel, who get along well in life, must develop respect for those who need to work harder to achieve.
Or, we may see someone who seems to have it made. We may get to thinking that we are less fortunate than they are, and we may say things that aren’t right or even true about them. And first thing we know, a wall is built up between us and them. Oh, let us purpose to develop respect for one another!
One day Jesus was mocked. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They put a stick in His hand. Then they bowed before their mock King, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29). They led Him away and crucified Him. As Christ hung on the cross listening to the jeers of His mockers, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Christ died for His mockers. He died for them because He loved them. He died for you too. If you pray to Him now and tell Him your sins and ask Him to forgive you, He will. Then live your life for Christ by loving Him and obeying His Word, the Bible.
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