Are You Mocking God?
"Reprint From March 2002"

Galatians 6:7 says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (KJV) A person is deceived when he speaks contrary to what God has said and is found mocking God. If we are not sowing what God has said about our situations, and us, we will ultimately reap what we say and not what God has said.

How does this thought apply to poetry? I am glad you asked. Whether it's our spoken word or our written word, we are still saying something and are held accountable. If we are not clear on what God is saying, we can inadvertently miss- communicate heavenly thoughts and even end up mocking God.

Mocking God is to say or write in a contradictory manor so as to position your thoughts and written expressions against His. Let me example this for your consideration: Paul wrote to the Galatians; Chapter three. He says in effect…you are foolish for thinking that you can be saved by the works of the law. Who has bewitched you? Good works and strict adherence to the law does not get you a free ticket to heaven, nor does it gain special favor with God. He has concluded all under sin so all can be saved by grace.(read Romans 3:3 and 6:23)

The contrast here is salvation by grace or by the works of the law. If we say that we must keep the law to obtain salvation from God, we position ourselves against His word and actually mock Him by denying the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. We are actually saying that His shed blood cannot cleanse us from all sin and it will require our righteousness and His to obtain salvation. The same is true if we hint, imply or openly pen a rhyme that conveys this devilish thought.

I cannot tell you how many poetry submissions that have come to us for publication that have a flavor of salvation by the works of the law. John L. Kanaris of Northbrook , IL sums up the true meaning of God's love through "His Extending Grace"

HIS EXTENDING GRACE

While praying I saw His holy face,
Smiling with peace and extending His grace.
He opened His house and invited me in;
No gifts are required just faith in Him.

He showed me His love; He showed me He is merciful.
He touched my soul and made me grateful.
He showed me His kindness and infinite passion;
He fulfilled His promise and showed me compassion.

He felt my pain; He saw my grief.
He opened His arms and gave me relief.
He accepted me without any condition --
Like I was His family -- the only addition.

Oh, Father, how lovable and precious You are
With your divine grace and tender love.
Your presence and radiance give me direction;
I would never forget that You are my salvation.

JAM-K@MSN.COM

John L. Kanaris,
Northbrook , IL USA

Another example of mocking God through poetry is Pantheism. We see a lot of "God in Nature" poems. Many refer to nature as eternal with Godly attributes. It is true that the heavens declare the glory of God and that you can see His handiwork in nature, but nature, itself is not eternal. Only God is eternal.

The written poetic expression is always reflective of what the poet believes. If you believe a certain thing, you will express it in your poetry. That's why it is so important to learn about God and visit with Him often…so you can be true to your gifting and keep from mocking Him in your wittings. The best place to meet with God is in the Bible. It is the inspired Word of God, fully capable of reproof, edifying, instructing, and divine revelation.

1. Keep your poetry in line with the scripture.
2. Read you poem out loud so you can hear what you are saying.
3. Think about the Theological implications.
4. Hold you work in light of your knowledge of God.
5. Pray for divine guidance.

Remember, God is not mocked. That means that He will not allow you to speak or write contrary to His word, without paying the consequences. We will reap what we sow…so lets not offend our Savior by a false confession.

God bless
Until Next Time
Rev John Marinelli
cpoets@adelphia.net