Sharing the Gospel with Unresponsive or Mocking People
Sharing the Gospel with individuals who are unresponsive or mocking presents a significant challenge for believers, a situation addressed in various biblical texts and theological traditions. The Bible acknowledges that such reactions are not uncommon, and it offers guidance on how to proceed with both wisdom and grace [11].
The concept of "mockers" or "scorners" appears frequently in scripture. Proverbs states that God "mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble" [1]. This suggests a divine response to those who deride spiritual truth. Job 12:4 describes the righteous as a "laughingstock" to their friends, indicating that mockery can be directed at those who call upon God [4]. Similarly, the sufferings of Christ were predicted to include scorn and mockery, as seen in Psalm 22:6-8 and Isaiah 53:3, and He indeed endured it during His earthly ministry [6]. Saints throughout history have faced similar treatment for their faith, their uprightness, and their faithfulness in declaring God's word [6]. This includes instances where people mocked the second coming of Christ, the gifts of the Spirit, God's threats, and His ministers [6].
Jesus Himself encountered unresponsiveness and mockery. He spoke in parables because, as Matthew 13:13 records, "seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand" [3]. This indicates a spiritual blindness and deafness that can prevent people from receiving the message. John Gill, in his commentary on Matthew 22:10, notes that the Gospel ministry gathers "all, as many as they found, both good and bad," implying that not all who hear will respond positively [10].
When faced with mocking or unresponsive individuals, the New Testament provides principles for how believers should conduct themselves. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 10:1, urges believers to act with "meekness and gentleness of Christ" [2]. Meekness is presented as a characteristic of Christ and a fruit of the Spirit, which saints should seek, put on, and exhibit in their conduct [7]. Ministers are also encouraged to follow after meekness and instruct opposers with it [7]. This approach aligns with the teaching to "bless them that curse you" and "pray for them which despitefully use you," as Christ himself did [8].
However, there is also a point at which reproof or continued engagement may become counterproductive. Proverbs 9:8 advises, "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee" [9]. John Gill interprets this proverb to mean that wicked individuals are prone to hate those who publicly rebuke them, and while ministers often face such hatred, there are times when further reproof would be fruitless [9]. He suggests that "scorner" here can refer not only to profane sinners but also to "proud scornful Pharisees" who derided Christ [9]. This implies a discernment is needed to recognize when an individual's heart is so hardened that further direct confrontation will only breed animosity without leading to repentance.
The apostle Paul, despite his boldness, also recognized the need for wisdom in evangelism. He considered himself "less than the least of all saints" yet was given the grace to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" [5]. This humility and focus on the message itself, rather than his own perceived worthiness, is a model for evangelism. Matthew Henry, commenting on Colossians 4:5, advises believers to "walk in wisdom towards those who are without," meaning those outside the Christian church [11]. This wisdom involves being careful not to be corrupted by their customs, not to increase their prejudices against religion, and to do them all the good possible [11]. This suggests a strategic and thoughtful approach to engagement, rather than a confrontational one, especially when facing hostility.
The challenge of sharing the Gospel with unresponsive or mocking people is not new. The biblical narrative consistently portrays a world where the message of God is met with a range of reactions, from eager acceptance to outright rejection and ridicule. The consistent instruction is to maintain a posture of meekness and gentleness, to pray for those who oppose, and to exercise wisdom in discerning when to continue direct reproof and when to step back, recognizing that some hearts are hardened against the truth [7, 8, 9, 11]. The ultimate goal remains to proclaim the "unsearchable riches of Christ" [5], even when the immediate response is unfavorable.
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 3:34 (BSB) — He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.”
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 10:1 (NASB) — Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!”
- Matthew “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. -- Matthew 13:13”
- Job “Job 12:4 (LITV) — I am a laughingstock to his friends; calling on God, and He answers him; the just, the upright one is a mockery;”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 3:8 — Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 6:27: Bless them that curse you;.... In common discourse, or anathematize you in their synagogues: and pray for them which despitefully use you: so Christ himself did; See Gill on Mat 5:44.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 9:8: Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee,.... For wicked men are apt to hate those that publicly rebuke them, Amo 5:10. Hence minister's of the word are of all men most hated; though this also should be bore with, could it be thought, or there was any reason to believe, that the reproof would be of any service. The scorner here, and in the preceding verses, may not only design profane sinners, sensualists, and atheists, that despise all religion, and scoff at all that is good; but also proud scornful Pharisees, such who derided Christ himself, and trusted in themselv”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 22:10: So these servants went out into the highways,.... Turned from the Jews, and went among the Gentiles, preaching the Gospel to them; particularly the Apostle Paul, with Barnabas, and others: and gathered together all, as many as they found, both good and bad: the Persic version reads it, "known or unknown". The Gospel ministry is the means of gathering souls to Christ, and to attend his ordinances, and into his churches; and of these that are gathered by it into churches, and to an attendance on outward ordinances, some are good and some bad, as the fishes gathered ”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 4:5: The apostle exhorts them further to a prudent and decent conduct towards all those with whom they conversed, towards the heathen world, or those out of the Christian church among whom they lived (Col 4:5): Walk in wisdom towards those who are without. Be careful, in all your converse with them, to get no hurt by them, or contract any of their customs; for evil communications corrupt good manners; and to do not hurt to them, or increase their prejudices against religion, and give them an occasion of dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by all the fitt”