It’s a “lesser sin to consider” that hits my radar this morning. A more “acceptable” transgression that’s giving me something to chew on.

Scorn. Kind of a funny word. Not really a word that I think is used much these days. But oh, how I think it is a word which is very much in play within our polarized, angry cultural moment.

Merriam-Webster defines it as “open dislike”, as “disrespect” manifesting itself in “mockery often mixed with indignation.” More than just disagreement, scorn is shown through disdain. More than trying to correct those we believe in the wrong, the bad fruit of scorn is showing contempt.

My Greek lexicon says that the ancient word used for scorn is literally “make mouths at”, to talk arrogantly towards. Boastful mockery is in the sense. Inflated derision.

And, as with all sin, even the sins we might scorn, God’s not a fan of scorners.

Toward the scorners He is scornful,
       but to the humble He gives favor.

(Proverbs 3:34 ESV)

Now to be fair, the context for this out of context verse is “a man of violence” (3:31), a “devious person”(3:32), one who inhabits “the house of the wicked” (3:33). It’s sinful behavior characterizing those who are not interested in having a heart that keeps His commandments (3:1-2) nor a heart ready to trust in the LORD and lean not to their own understanding (3:5-6). The scorner here is not all that interested in finding wisdom (3:13-18).

Yet, you don’t have to be a scorner to be drawn into the sin of scorn. Like all sin — like the “forbidden woman” Solomon’s already warned his son about, the “adulteress with her smooth words” — scorn seduces down a path of evil and “perverted speech”, enticing those without “discretion” to “walk in the ways of darkness” (2:9-19).

Boastful, arrogant disdain for others isn’t just reserved for the unsaved scorner. Our old man, our flesh, is more than able — and all too often ready and willing — to engage in scorn.

But where is God’s favor found? Where does grace abound? With the humble.

Not with the wishy-washy. Not with those who tolerate apart from truth. But with those who are humble. With the lowly. With the meek. With the poor. As in, poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3)? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Sure, God’s people are to be truth-tellers. But if in telling that truth we do so with open dislike or disrespect, if we do so by “making mouths at” and talking arrogantly and with inflated derision, then I’m thinking we need to take heed the truth which tells us that towards the scorners He is scornful.

And just to make sure we’re picking up what’s being laid down, the Spirit brings “the charge” against the scorner “on the evidence of three witnesses” (Deut. 19:15) — Solomon, Peter, and James (1Peter 5:5, James 4:6).

Father, forgive us saints for being tripped up by the sin of scorn.

By Your grace. For Your glory.