Do Christians Scorn God?

Turning over and over in my mind today; Even if we love God desperately, with all that we understand, do we inadvertantly scorn Him? (Is this one of the themes in Job?)...

I was given a word for someone a couple of weeks ago. I know this person to be very passionate about our Lord and, while most of what I was receiving was not provocative, at one point I heard "you scorn my love..." Even while writing it in my journal, I was asking myself if it was correct. I didn't have time to stop and revisit the word, as words were coming quickly (as fast as I could write) and my kids were stirring more loudly. I could have easily been off on this as I am human, not nearly close to perfect, but it was what I heard at that moment.

I am very concerned about misleading people, as I don't want to misspeak for God, so when I gave the word to this person, I asked that it be read in the Spirit as well, and interpreted based upon their Spirit's resonance with God's. However, it has been playing back in my mind, along with some other teaching that God has been thumping me on the head with, so I decided to pursue the learning opportunity.

Since I can't recollect seeing "scorn" in the Bible, I started in Webster's New World Dictionary of American English. The word scorn, in the verb tense, means "to refuse or reject as wrong or disgraceful." I went to disgraceful, and saw "1)The state of being in disfavor because of bad conduct. 2) loss of favor or respect; public dishonor; ignominy(loss of reputation); disrepute; shame. 3) a person or thing that brings shame, dishonor, or reproach."

I then went to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Under SCORN it said "For SCORN see LAUGH." I looked up LAUGH. It said "LAUGH TO SCORN; Katagelao "denotes to laugh scornfully at, and signifies derisive laughter, Matthew 9:24, Mark 5:40 and Luke 8:53" (when Jesus entered the synagogue ruler, Jarius's house and told the crowd to go away as "the girl is not dead, but asleep" and the crowd laughed at Him).

There was also another word used for derisive laughter in the Bible, which I can't figure out how to type here properly without html, but roughly is ekmukterizo which is not mentioned in the New Testament, but means "The laughter of incredulity, as in Genesis 17:17 and 18:12" (when Abraham and Sarai both laughed at the idea that they would bear a son in their old age).

If the father of our faith and his wife could scorn God...surely we, too, are suspect. Do I believe myself and my limited vision over what God has promised at times...yes, I must say that I do. This means that I, subconsciously, reject the authority of His word. I scorn Him here... Do I find myself thinking that what I have sensed God telling me couldn't possibly come to pass, or I must have mis-heard Him because of all the factors that need to be worked out, that don't seem to be being worked out?? Unfortunately I do this more often than I would like to admit in one particular area of my life. No matter what assurances God has given me at one time or another (e.g. not recently, necessarily ~ but goodness, Abraham waited many years for God's plan to come to fruition, even trying to work it out himself, questioning his understanding and looking with human eyes at Sarah's ability to bear children. Perhaps even thinking Sarah's body problems were preventing the promise from being fulfilled), I can be "sure" (in my senses) that I "know" it isn't possible. How utterly contemptable of me!

I also realize that, as with Webster's definition, I often view myself as wrong in God's eyes. I know in my heart when I am disrespecting Him by my behavior, and feel that I am a terrible witness and shame Him. Rather than trusting His word (no condemnation), I presume a loss of favor with Him. Even when I am repentant, I will still don't fully recieve His forgiveness, finding myself "not measuring up" to His expectations. It is so hard for us to receive! How wrong of me to be so limited in mind and heart! The truth is so clear in His word! He LOVES US with passion and purity, and knows we will fall. If we keep in mind His truth that we can do nothing apart from Him, and all that is good in us is His anyway, we will realize the issue is one of separation before performance and has nothing to do with failing. God knows I am hopeless without Him. I just need to accept that truth into the depth of my bones.

Oh, Lord Jesus, Forgive my wayward heart. Forgive my scorn of your truths. I see in so many ways how I doubt what you have planted in my heart as I see circumstances, or people, or time as something that could prevent You from fulfilling what You have shown me to be Your plan. Let me always remember that YOU ALONE are sovereign, YOU ALONE are holy, YOU ALONE ARE GOD ~ and I can do all things through You; nothing apart from You. Lord, Thank You that You love us, so. Thank You, that you desire only the best for Your children. Thank You that nothing can thwart Your plans. Oh, let me honor You with my mind and heart. Let me not scorn You with my thinking. Renew my mind and transform my heart that I might be a living testament to Your love and power. Bless You, Oh Lord, You are Almighty, Ominipotent, Most Holy GOD.