Recently, Terri and I encountered a friend who outright mocked God. We believe our friend did this unwittingly, although she is an intelligent woman. But, no matter how smart you are, you don’t know what you don’t know. Since we were with a group of people, we chose not to respond to her mockery to spare her embarrassment.
Yet, we know mocking God is no light matter. The Bible speaks with clarity and conviction on this, offering us a sobering reminder in Paul’s letter to the Galatians:
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
Galatians 6:7-8 NLT
This passage reminds us of a universal truth: the seeds we sow determine the harvest we reap. Sowing seeds of disrespect, disbelief, or rebellion toward God will inevitably lead to spiritual consequences. This can also be true for the relationships we have with others—there are consequences to how we treat others. What we sow into our relationships is what we get back.
But what about when we encounter someone who seems to mock or dismiss God? How should we respond? Rather than reacting with anger or frustration, Scripture calls us to approach such moments with love, humility, and grace. It may be hard to bite our tongue, but perhaps it’s better if we do.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.
1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
Our actions, our tone, and our demeanor should all reflect the hope we’ve each found in Christ. If we lack that hope, mocking God may reveal a deep wound or misunderstanding in our heart.
When we are witnessing to a friend or neighbor, here are some tips to follow:
1. Pray First
Begin with prayer. Everything starts with prayer. Ask God to soften their heart and open their mind to the truth. Pray for your own wisdom, courage, and compassion as you prepare to share your faith. Tread softly, yet boldly, resting in the confidence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.
2. Live Out Your Faith
Be the hands and feet of Jesus in your everyday life.
Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16 NLT
We are often the only Bible someone will ever read. Our actions are a greater witness than our words.
3. Build Genuine Connection
Don’t hammer someone over the head with the Gospel the first time you meet them. Take the time to get to know them. People care about what you say once they know how much you care about them. Invest time in them through active listening. Relationship builds trust, and trust opens the door to meaningful conversations.
4. Share Your Story
Share how God has transformed your life. Your testimonies speaks volumes—it reveals the real, living work of God in a way no argument or debate ever can or will.
5. Be Ready to Answer Questions
Be prepared. When they ask questions, answer them thoughtfully and respectfully. Don’t get defensive. Let the Holy Spirit do the work. Lean into the wisdom of Scripture, responding with kindness and clarity, even when you are faced with skepticism.
Trust God for the Outcome
Like I mentioned earlier, the Holy Spirit is with us and at work in others, just like He is in us. You and I are not responsible for changing someone’s heart—that’s God’s job. Our role is to faithfully plant seeds, trusting that the Lord will bring the growth in His perfect timing. We sow seeds through our words and our deeds.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
Mocking God may seem like an act of defiance, but more often, it’s a sign of something deeper. It’s a cry for help. We can serve as a witness to God’s grace, His love, and His truth. Leave the rest in the Lord’s capable hands.
Until next time…
Grace and peace,
Rainer Bantau—The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
There’s not. Only discomfort.
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You’re welcome buddy…don’t think there’s an especially easy answer on this
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Thank you for your thoughtful response, Andy. The situation certainly gave Terri a lot of food for thought and she and I have discussed a few times since it occurred. It’s hard to know exactly how to respond at times depending on the circumstances. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
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It’s a tough one isn’t it
God doesn’t need us to help defend Him and if we correct someone, and do it badly we just made Christians look like party poopers
But saying something can lead to repentance and/or it can lead to people changing and modifying their behaviour but only around us which means we see less well when they’re struggling
i have more questions than answers here…again
what i do know is that my refusal to swear and curse God while in school led to some of my peers developing a fascinating respect around me that I never sought…in that they would apologise to me when they swore (in certain situations)
i don’t think anyone can mock God and not know they’re doing so…we all have that inbuilt knowledge of good and evil…so, yes, with you I’d be looking at that more as a cry of help
just my reflections on your post!
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