Have you ever noticed that some people who claim to be seekers of truth will not inquire of the person who can show them the truth they claim to seek? Have you ever wondered why that is? There are two reasons as to why a seeker of truth will not go to one who can show him the truth.
First, it may be owing to ignorance. He may not know that that person has the truth he is seeking. Or it may be owing to a flaw in his character. Proverbs has a verse that sheds some light on this.
Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Obviously, a scorner is one who scorns. So let’s define what it means to scorn.
Scorn – To treat with ridicule, to show extreme contempt for, to mock, to deride. To hold in disdain, to contemn, to despise.
Now our text sets forth two characteristics of a scorner. First, he loveth not one that reproveth him. That is, he despises anyone who shows him he is wrong. Secondly, he will not go unto the wise. He will not seek out people who can teach him what he does not know or that can show him that he is wrong. He may profess to be seeking truth, but in reality he is seeking that which will make him feel comfortable in what he has already decided he wants to believe or do. Therefore, even though he claims to be seeking wisdom, he will never find it because he avoids the sources that can give it to him. Therefore, Proverbs 14:6 hits the nail on the head:
Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:
If a scorner senses that a man is wise and can answer his questions, then he will not go to him with his questions. He knows that if he cannot gainsay the wise man’s answers, then he will have to consider that perhaps that wise man is indeed telling him the truth. And if he is being told the truth, then he will be morally bound to submit to that truth. But if the cost of submitting to that truth is a price the scorner is unwilling to pay, then he would rather not know that truth. The scorner does not know because he does not want to know. He is afraid to find out. This is willful ignorance and reminds us of the scoffers (scorners) that shall be in the last days.
2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
With respect to a wise man, who is telling the truth, the scorner might think or say things like this: “Oh, he just thinks he’s right and everybody else is wrong.” “Aw, I already know what he’ll say and I just don’t believe it.” “Yeah, yeah, I know those verses say that, but I just feel that…..” Observe the contempt that is being expressed in these statements for the wise man and the truth that he speaks. That is why a person who says things like this is called a scorner, no matter how nice he might otherwise be. And, to be sure, he will not go unto wise. All his talk about seeking truth is just that, talk, nothing more than cheap talk. If he really wanted to know the truth, he could find out. But a scorner will not go unto the wise.
Now if you fear God, you do not want to be a scorner. The future of the scorner is not bright.
Proverbs 3:34 Surely he (God) scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Do you want to know the truth? Do you want to find the true doctrine? Then go to someone whom you think might be able to answer your questions. And do not despise that person if he shows you that what you have thought and felt is wrong. I close with the call of wisdom sounded in beginning of the book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
If you really want to know truth, God is telling you that you can!
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