Post by Josh Parsley on Feb 2, 2007 8:39:36 GMT -5
What a Foolish Mockery
By: Evan Schaible
"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor." (Prov. 14:7-9)
I am aware that this article may shake the very foundations of my ministry, and I may indeed lose many friends and subscribers. God has laid this on my heart, and I feel that despite the consequences I must relay this short and simple message despite the fact that I know i will be torn apart for it.
Throughout the book of proverbs we have warnings against not only acting and speaking foolishly, but also dwelling with foolish persons. This passage is clear as day when it comes to the harsh exhortations to the foolish man. But then it describes the type: fools make a mock at sin.
When we stand before this lost world, and preach Christ, we must also decry sin. If we lift up our voices for righteousness we must also lift up our voices against unrighteousness. This is just part of the preachers job; to tear down the strongholds held up by sin. But how do we do this?
If we are obeying God and preaching His word; we must take heed because it is a serious thing. We face greater condemnation if we preach wrongly, or lead anyone down false paths. If we build on the foundation of Christ we must take heed how we build and be sure our building is made of silver, gold and precious stones rather than wood, hay and stubble.
This simple Proverb is clear: Fools make a mock at sin. In my short days I have seen a fearful thing in the light of scripture - men who feel the need to mock sin and bring it down to a level of mere comedic acts rather than vicious rebellion against a holy God. I was guilty of it, but have since been dealt with and put off the thing. We must all ask ourselves: Does God think sin is funny? Does God look upon sin as something to joke about? Would Jesus Christ preach what you are preaching in the open air or from your pulpit? Sadly I have seen preachers, for whom I have much respect, fall into this fearful trap. It is no small thing to mock the very thing that God will cast multitudes into eternal fire for committing.
When we make a mockery of sin, especially in the open air, we are indirectly telling the crowd that sin is really not that serious. If we can mock at it and cause laughter about rebellious acts against God then we must check ourselves, and see how serious we ourselves view sin. Does God laugh at iniquity? God hates all workers of iniquity; but at the same time He loved them enough to shed His very blood, and offer up His soul as an offering for sin. It pleased God to bruise His only Son - for sin. Because of sin Jesus Christ was forsook on the cross of Calvary. Is that something to mock preacher?
When I see or hear phrases like "SICK OF QUEERS" and "God hates fags", and the term "baying swine" used to mean preaching at gay pride rallies I cringe. Allow me to say something very controversial in the light of this article, I love the homosexuals. And that love constrains me to preach salvation as well as damnation; God's love and God's hate. "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth; and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth". Does God take pleasure in the death of the wicked? God is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance. Do you rejoice when you hear the failings of anyone; or when God reigns down judgment upon them? That is just as abominable to God as the sin He judged. God calls you to weep for these people and preach with a pure heart of love.
The conclusion is as follows: If you make a mockery of sin you are a fool because the the divinely inspired wise man says - "Fools make a mock at sin".
By: Evan Schaible
"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor." (Prov. 14:7-9)
I am aware that this article may shake the very foundations of my ministry, and I may indeed lose many friends and subscribers. God has laid this on my heart, and I feel that despite the consequences I must relay this short and simple message despite the fact that I know i will be torn apart for it.
Throughout the book of proverbs we have warnings against not only acting and speaking foolishly, but also dwelling with foolish persons. This passage is clear as day when it comes to the harsh exhortations to the foolish man. But then it describes the type: fools make a mock at sin.
When we stand before this lost world, and preach Christ, we must also decry sin. If we lift up our voices for righteousness we must also lift up our voices against unrighteousness. This is just part of the preachers job; to tear down the strongholds held up by sin. But how do we do this?
If we are obeying God and preaching His word; we must take heed because it is a serious thing. We face greater condemnation if we preach wrongly, or lead anyone down false paths. If we build on the foundation of Christ we must take heed how we build and be sure our building is made of silver, gold and precious stones rather than wood, hay and stubble.
This simple Proverb is clear: Fools make a mock at sin. In my short days I have seen a fearful thing in the light of scripture - men who feel the need to mock sin and bring it down to a level of mere comedic acts rather than vicious rebellion against a holy God. I was guilty of it, but have since been dealt with and put off the thing. We must all ask ourselves: Does God think sin is funny? Does God look upon sin as something to joke about? Would Jesus Christ preach what you are preaching in the open air or from your pulpit? Sadly I have seen preachers, for whom I have much respect, fall into this fearful trap. It is no small thing to mock the very thing that God will cast multitudes into eternal fire for committing.
When we make a mockery of sin, especially in the open air, we are indirectly telling the crowd that sin is really not that serious. If we can mock at it and cause laughter about rebellious acts against God then we must check ourselves, and see how serious we ourselves view sin. Does God laugh at iniquity? God hates all workers of iniquity; but at the same time He loved them enough to shed His very blood, and offer up His soul as an offering for sin. It pleased God to bruise His only Son - for sin. Because of sin Jesus Christ was forsook on the cross of Calvary. Is that something to mock preacher?
When I see or hear phrases like "SICK OF QUEERS" and "God hates fags", and the term "baying swine" used to mean preaching at gay pride rallies I cringe. Allow me to say something very controversial in the light of this article, I love the homosexuals. And that love constrains me to preach salvation as well as damnation; God's love and God's hate. "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth; and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth". Does God take pleasure in the death of the wicked? God is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance. Do you rejoice when you hear the failings of anyone; or when God reigns down judgment upon them? That is just as abominable to God as the sin He judged. God calls you to weep for these people and preach with a pure heart of love.
The conclusion is as follows: If you make a mockery of sin you are a fool because the the divinely inspired wise man says - "Fools make a mock at sin".