“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
“He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'” Genesis 3:1-5
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15
“The devil… was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
“The men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.” Luke 22:63
With alluring staccato from his perch of fence edge, then power line, the mockingbird teased the lazy afternoon. Chur-whee, chur-whee…trull trull trull… twee twee twee… chip chip… Consistent and persistent in variety, his identity is marked by the ruse of constant change, his intrigue in mimicry.
So exists and works the mocker of men and God. From the garden to his ultimate eternal grave, he mocks, mimics, deceives, and lies. He appears as he is not, sounds not wicked as he is, and says what is not true. His only constant is that he fools, attempting to undermine and overthrow and destroy all that is right and good. (John 10:10a; Revelation 12:9; 20:10)
The devil mocks, but Jesus wins. The mocker pretends, Jesus is the real thing. The enemy promotes falsehood, Jesus is truth. The mocker shrouds in darkness, Jesus is light. Satan would have us believe we are losers, alone, needful of our own power, unworthy. But Jesus says we are His beloved people, cloaked in mercy, living in marvelous freedom. The mocker says be quiet, Jesus says proclaim My excellence. (John 8:12; 14:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10)
Where have I been duped? How do I entertain the mocker by accepting his peppered falsehoods, compromising morality, waning in devotion? When do I indulge in the forbidden fruit of licentiousness, gluttony, sloth, or bitterness, then hide in shame? Where have I fabricated ‘my own truth’ while denying my Lord’s? How am I presently mocking my Lord by selfishness, ingratitude, grumbling, arrogance, or outright sin? Beware the mocker’s wiles!
Pelleted by the ancient foe, we can feel exhausted, undone, or fall to his trickery in defeat. But looking to the perfect One unjustly mocked, who chose to be nailed to the cross to vanquish the mocker’s sting and stain, we can endure. Whose voice will we let triumph? (Isaiah 53:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:55,57)
Lord, help me discern and dismiss the enemy’s mockery, and rejoice in the truth of all You won for me, to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 