2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
In our day we will be dealing with a lot of it, these people will attempt to turn you away from telling the truth and following Christ because their hearts are darkened.
They will not be satisfied with ignoring you, they must discredit you through gossip, through covert means of demeaning and mocking while shaming you to your face whenever they have the opportunity.
The best way to combat this is to avoid them whenever you can, but if that is not possible be strong enough to ignore them, remaining silent when they attack. They are looking for every utterance as an excuse to carry out their tactics. According to God's Word we are not to bother sharing wisdom with those who will use it for opportunity to trample on God and His messengers.
Proverbs 29:11
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 29:9
"If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
Matthew 7:6
"6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
When we have to be in the presence of the mocker it is best to obey God and show them the kindness God has shown us, remaining innocent, that our conscience be free from retaliation.
Romans 12:13-15 "13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep."
Sometimes we cannot avoid the mean spirited person who wishes to diminish our walk, when this is the case we do what we should according to God's Word and leave those who reject Christ and us, to the Lord.
