Guilty Of Mocking God?
Do Not Be Deceived, God Will Not Be Mocked
Whenever we read the warning, “do not be deceived,” it behooves us to pause and carefully examine what is being said. When we use the word “deceived,” we are conveying the idea that someone has been misled into believing something that is false or incorrect as true or correct. In the following passage, we are warned:
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
There are three important points in this passage that we must examine:
- A warning, “do not be deceived.“
- An immutable fact, “God cannot be mocked.”
- A spiritual law or principle, “a man reaps what he sows.”
Exposition: Do not be misled by people who turn up their noses at God, mocking and sneering at the mere mention of His name. Neither they nor you will get away with such behavior. There are always consequences for your thoughts, beliefs, and actions in this life and the life to come. Just because God hasn’t snatched you up and beat the living hell out of you does not mean you will get away with sinning—God is watching you. It is only because of God’s grace and mercy that those who mock Him have not been cast into the eternal flames of hell. If you follow your sinful nature and its desires, you will face dreadful consequences for your ungodly thoughts, beliefs, and actions. However, if you follow God’s teachings and behave as the Holy Spirit teaches, you will reap the fruit of righteous living and spend eternity in God’s presence.
My mother used to say, “God doesn’t sleep,” but as we look around today’s world filled with every form of ungodliness, wickedness, and corruption imaginable, it appears that God has fallen into a coma. The apostle Paul warns us not to be deceived or misled by those living ungodly lives that mock God. The Greek word “myktērizō” is translated as “mocked,” and means, to turn up your nose or sneer at God; to scoff or deride.
Our culture, media, and entertainment industry are all guilty of mocking God. Closer to home we see God frequently mocked among friends and family members. Everywhere we look we see the vast majority of people “sneering and turning up their nose at God.” This metaphoric language is not pointing to a specific act, but the idea of ignoring God and His word to follow your own interest and desires. It is a sin to ignore God and His commands. According to the Scriptures, those who ignore God are mocking Him, and such will reap the consequences of their ungodly choices. Here are just a few life choices that mock God.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Many who live ungodly lives have grown comfortable in their sin, assuming the absence of any immediate consequences for sin suggests there will be no negative outcomes down the road. However, such are deceived and live in a false sense of security. This deception, in part, is the work of seducing spirits and satan. Lying is satan’s native language. He is a liar, the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). When we reject God’s instructions and warnings, we are being seduced by the father of lies. This is exactly how Eve was deceived in the Garden. Satan told Eve that if she ate the forbidden fruit she would become just like God and not die, therefore making God out to be the liar (Genesis 3:4-5). Just like Eve, many today have believed satan’s lies and cast God aside to embrace the forbidden fruit of ungodly living, not understanding that they are just one breath from judgment. It is only God’s loving kindness that restrains judgment at this time.
In 2 Peter 3:9, we read that God is patient with the ungodly, not wanting to see any perish, but all come to their senses and repent. Unfortunately, if we turn a deaf ear to God’s Holy Spirit pleading with us to repent, we will remain in our sins. What do you suppose will happen to those who reject the one and only Savior of all mankind? What will become of those who sneer, mock, and turn up their nose at God? Will God simply give them a pass, or will they reap what they have sown?
The principle of sowing and reaping is a spiritual truth that most people tend to selectively believe. At one time or another, we have all warned someone about the future negative consequences they would reap because of their present ungodly actions. However, quite often, many folks give themselves a generous pass and rationalize away their own ungodly actions as though there are no consequences for ignoring or rejecting God. Herein is the problem; unless a person turns to God in true repentance and is born again, they cannot receive God’s blessings here and now, or in the world to come. They will reap the consequences of rejecting God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Roughly two thousand years ago the apostle Peter pleaded with his listeners to turn to God through His son Jesus:
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Isn’t it time for Jesus?
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be been born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
Related topic: Are You Really Born Again?
