Sons and Scorners

“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).
There are two kinds of men: wise sons and scorners. A wise son heareth, but the scorner heareth not. A scorner is someone who not only ignores his father’s commands but also detests and mocks them. He hates the authority over him and chafes at the restrictions placed upon him by a loving father. In the spiritual, there are also sons and scorners. Scorners hate God and all that He represents. They rebel against His commands and the boundaries set in place for their protection. They believe they know what is best for them: they are their own god. A wise son trusts God to know what is best for him. He listens to God’s voice and heeds it. He allows his Heavenly Father to instruct him and teach him. The word instruction is translated in other passages as chastisement, or correction. It is a warning to get back on track, and it is given in love. On the other hand, the Father rebukes the scorner. While still given in love, a rebuke is harsh and often painful. Its purpose is to bring the scorner to repentance. As men on the quest for godly manhood, there will be times when we are chastised and disciplined by God. We should not become discouraged. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons” (Hebrews 12:6, 8). Do not forget that we were all scorners before we became sons. Do not write off a scorner as beyond redemption, but share the Good News with him. Yes, he may scorn God, but he may also repent and become a son.