Scoffers in the Bible and the Teachable Spirit

Scoffers and Trolls: Modern and Biblical Parallels

Many of you are familiar with the online term, "troll". If you aren't, a troll is someone who purposely provokes, mocks, or harasses people who believe differently from them. The Bible uses another term, scoffers. Scoffers treat others' beliefs with contempt and enjoy making fun of them. They act with arrogant pride (Proverbs 21:24). In Hebrew, the word can also be translated as "ambassador", which implies that these people actively promote opposite ideas to the person they are ridiculing.

The Opposite of a Scoffer: A Teachable Spirit

The opposite of a scoffer in the Bible would be a teachable person with a teachable spirit. This person doesn't have to be a highly intelligent person, just someone who realizes they don't know everything. They are humble and will take wise advice. Wisdom begins with humility—the realization that we don’t know everything. God values a humble, teachable heart more than great intellect or status.

“Wisdom begins with humility—the realization that we don’t know everything.”

Which Are You—Teachable or a Scoffer?

Proverbs has a lot of relevant things to say about both types of people. We live in a world full of scoffers, but perhaps few of us are teachable. We see scoffers in the political arena, online, and even among our friends. So which are you? Do you have a "teachable spirit" or are you a scoffer, or maybe somewhere in between?

Scoffers in the Bible and Their Foolish Pride

Proverbs 13:1 explains that when a son is wise he will heed the instructions of his father but when he is a scoffer he will not listen when he receives correction. In Proverbs 14:6, we are told that a scoffer will pursue wisdom without ever finding it. Proverbs 15:12 says a scoffer won't seek wisdom from a wise person because he doesn't want to be corrected. Proverbs 9:8 even says that there is no point in trying to correct a scoffer because they will just hate you for it. In contrast to the scoffer’s pride, Proverbs paints a picture of the teachable person who welcomes correction.

What Proverbs Teaches About the Teachable

But what does the Bible say about the person with a teachable spirit? Proverbs 12:1 tells us that when we hate to be corrected we are stupid, but when we love discipline we love knowledge.

“Those who love discipline love knowledge.”

In Proverbs 9:9, we are told when instruction is given to a wise man, he becomes even wiser. Proverbs 19:20 encourages us to accept instruction and listen to advice to gain wisdom.

Spiritual Discernment and the Work of the Holy Spirit

Why is this so important? Because Jesus loves us and wants to teach and discipline us (Hebrews 12:6). Discipline is for our own good. It trains us, corrects us, and instructs us. If we can't or won't listen to Him, then we are unteachable. If we are not teachable, then 2 Timothy 3:16 means nothing to us. Here Paul says,

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

In 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Paul says the apostles' words are not taught by "human wisdom" but are taught by the Holy Spirit living in us. He says the "natural person" can't understand because God's words seem foolish to them, and can't be understood except by spiritual discernment. The natural person is someone without the Holy Spirit. Spiritual discernment begins with the indwelling Holy Spirit in a Christian. Without that Paul says scoffers will perish.

Scoffers Will Perish, but the Teachable Are Blessed

In Acts 13:41, we learn,

"Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you."

They won't believe because they think they have all the answers. No one can teach them anything. There are rewards for not being around such people.

Blessings come to those who don't walk with people who are ungodly, sinners, or scoffers, according to Psalm 1:1.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly—or stand with scoffers.”

When the Psalmist prays in Psalm 119:33 that God give him wisdom, it is so he can be obedient to God. Obedience is blessed because this is how we grow closer to God. And what about the scoffers, what happens to them?

Proverbs 24:9 minces no words when it says "the scoffer is an abomination to men." And in Proverbs 29:1 we are told that those who stubbornly refuse to learn from many rebukes "will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy." By choosing to make fun of the things of God a person is inviting destruction upon himself. There are many examples of scoffers in the Bible.

Examples of Scoffers in the Bible and a Teachable Spirit

From Noah’s generation to the cross, scoffers in the Bible mocked truth, but the teachable received grace. The people of Noah's age who watched him build an ark and heard him preach about destruction but did not listen, were scoffers. The many people who mocked the prophets in the Old Testament were scoffers. In the New Testament there were those who mocked Christ while He was on the cross. There are also examples of people who had teachable spirits.

One of the best examples of a teachable spirit is found in Acts 8:26-40 in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The Ethiopian was reading the book of Isaiah when Philip, led by the Holy Spirit, approached him and asked if he understood what he was reading. The man was humble enough to tell Philip,

“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him," (Acts 8:31).

This act of humility by admitting he needed to be taught, led him to accept Christ and be baptized. These examples remind us that a teachable heart often leads to salvation, while a scoffing heart leads to ruin.

Even the great King David acknowledged the need to be teachable in Psalm 86:11,

"Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name."

Over and over the Bible tells us the importance of studying the Word, of not just hearing the Words but obeying them. How can we be obedient if we know nothing of what God expects of us? How can we be obedient if we pridefully think that we know enough and have no need to study and understand?

Learning Humility in an Unteachable World

The Bible seems to imply that scoffers will increase as the Lord's return draws nearer and they will follow their own sinful desires. (2 Peter 3:3). We see this in social media, among prominent entertainers, and some scientists. Cultural norms of the past are ridiculed. Biblical stories are considered myth. Symbols of Christianity are mocked openly. We saw this recently in the opening ceremonies at the Paris Olympics.

But are you and I guilty of this? Have we gotten soft, so to speak, on what we call sin? Do we accept behaviors that we never would have in the past? Cultural influences are strong. Today, believing you are right about whatever viewpoint you hold on an issue has led to a generation that is increasingly unteachable. We have become an argumentative society. Even in our highest political offices we see people who make fun of others and who openly use profanity with little regret.

But as the Bible makes it clear, there is no sense in debating with these scoffers because their minds are closed to the truth. Proverbs 26:5 tells us not to answer a fool when he only wants to argue with us. We can pray for them. Yes, the Bible tells us to be ready to give a defense for our hope, but this is not to those who just want to turn around and ridicule us. This is for those who are, like the Ethiopian eunuch, willing to be taught.

But even the most hardened scoffer can receive grace. God offers His love and forgiveness to us when we repent and believe. Our prayers can be effective in softening the heart of a scoffer to be receptive to the Holy Spirit. Paul is an example of such a heart. An adamant opponent and terror of Christians, he was transformed on the road to Damascus into the greatest missionary the church has ever known (Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-19).

When we go out in the world we need to use discernment. We need to discern: Should we be around certain people? Should I interact with them? Are they seeking to learn or just wanting to argue with me? We can use signs like curiosity and a desire to dialogue to discern potential openness to God's truth.

When we are confronted with scoffers online, pray for guidance and pray for them. Don't let yourself get angry. When they support immoral behavior or ridicule our Savior, be careful how you reply. May we be known not for scoffing, but for listening, learning, and walking humbly with our God. Remember, humility is a sign of a teachable spirit. And that, my friend, is a blessing from God.