The Bible teaches in Galatians 6:7 that “God is not mocked.” This is a profound truth that we should seek to understand and apply to our lives. At its core, it means that God cannot be fooled, tricked, or belittled without consequence. His character and laws are not to be trifled with. In this article, we will unpack the meaning of this verse and see how it should shape our perspective and actions as followers of Christ.
The Context of Galatians 6:7
To properly understand any verse, we must start by looking at its context. Galatians 6:7 falls within Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia. This region was being influenced by people teaching that adherence to Old Testament laws, like circumcision, was necessary for salvation. Paul wrote to correct this dangerous teaching and clarify that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, not works.
In chapter 6, Paul instructs the Galatians to restore any believers who have been caught in sin gently, being mindful that they too could be tempted (Galatians 6:1-5). He then transitions to warn against conceit and encourage them to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:3-5). It is in this context of both correcting doctrinal error and exhorting practical Christian conduct that Paul declares “God cannot be mocked.”
The Meaning of “Mocked” in Galatians 6:7
The key word in this verse is “mocked.” The Greek word here means to “turn up one’s nose at” or “treat with contempt.” Paul is warning that God will not idly tolerate those who treat Him and His laws with contempt, belittling or disregarding Him.
To “mock” God is to act like one knows better than the Creator. It is insulting to God’s wisdom and authority. Those who foolishly choose to mock God demonstrate an arrogant heart attitude that assumes the Almighty does not see or care about their actions. But as Paul declares, such an attitude is gravely mistaken.
How Do People Mock God?
The Bible contains many examples of how God is mocked by human attitudes and actions:
- Cain mocked God’s justice and mercy by murdering his brother Abel despite God’s warnings (Genesis 4:1-16).
- Pharaoh mocked God’s power and authority by resisting His command to let the Israelites go numerous times during the Exodus plagues (Exodus 5-12).
- The Israelites mocked God’s faithfulness and provision, grumbling about manna He graciously provided them in the wilderness (Exodus 16:1-36).
- Nadab and Abihu mocked God’s holiness by offering “unauthorized fire” and disobeying His specific instructions for sacrifices (Leviticus 10:1-3).
- Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas mocked God’s righteous laws by abusing their priestly offices to gratify their own greed and lusts (1 Samuel 2:12-25).
- The Amalekites mocked Israel and Israel’s God when they ambushed the weak and feeble of Israel as they came out of the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
In essence, any sin mocks God’s character because all sin is rebellion against the Creator in favor of our own foolish preferences. Belittling God’s commands and acting like one knows better is a dangerous affront to His supreme wisdom and authority.
God Will Not Be Mocked Without Consequence
Paul’s sobering warning reminds us that while God is patient and compassionate (Exodus 34:6), He will not let mocking stand indefinitely without consequence.
Galatians 6:7 promises that “Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Just as farmers reap the natural consequences of their planting, we reap the consequences of our moral actions before God. We cannot live in defiance of God’s laws and character and expect to escape the rightful effects.
Scripture repeatedly warns that God will hold every person accountable and “will repay each person according to what they have done” (Romans 2:6; see also Job 34:11; Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 17:10; 32:19; Ezekiel 7:27; 18:20).
King David rightly understood this reality, declaring “God will never allow the wicked to go unpunished” (Psalm 55:19). God is patient, but evildoers should not presume upon His patience forever. Judgment will come (Acts 17:30-31; Hebrews 9:27). As Paul says, God will not be mocked indefinitely.
Examples of God’s Judgment on Mockers
The Bible contains sober accounts of God’s judgment falling on some who defiantly mocked Him:
- After repeatedly mocking and persecuting believers, King Herod Agrippa I was struck down by an angel of the Lord and eaten by worms (Acts 12:1-23).
- God empowered the Philistines to defeat the Israelites after they treated the Ark of the Covenant with contempt by bringing it irreverently into battle as a magical charm (1 Samuel 4-6).
- After mocking God’s messenger and refusing to repent at Jonah’s preaching, the city of Nineveh faced destruction within 40 days (Jonah 1:2).
- Ananias and Sapphira lied to the apostles and the Holy Spirit about their offering, demonstrating disregard for God’s presence and authority. As a result, they suffered immediate judgment (Acts 5:1-10).
While we should not assume every tragedy is God’s direct judgment (Luke 13:1-5), Scripture does contain many examples of timely punishments falling on arrogant mockers. These accounts warn us that while God is patient, His patience does run out. Mocking God is dangerous disobedience with consequences.
We Reap Corruption When We Mock God
Paul also warns the Galatians that “the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:8). Here, “flesh” refers to the sinful desires and mindset that rejects God’s will and law. When we allow the flesh to rule us, mocking God’s standards in favor of our own, we will reap the decaying effects of sin.
Like a fool thinking he can defy the law of gravity, those who try to mock God end up hurting themselves. They reap spiritual decay and damaged relationships. The “corruption” Paul warns of includes:
- Harmful consequences in everyday life from rejecting God’s wisdom.
- The misery and slavery that comes from giving in to sinful desires (John 8:34; Romans 6:20-21).
- A seared conscience and ruined mind that is veiled to the truth (1 Timothy 4:2; Romans 1:21).
- Eventual eternal condemnation and separation from God if sin is not repented of (Romans 6:23).
Sin promises freedom but only brings destruction (Galatians 6:8; 2 Peter 2:19). Its pleasures are fleeting, while its consequences are long-lasting. When we mock God, we are the ultimate losers.
God’s Judgment Shows He Values His Glory
God’s refusal to let mocking go unpunished stems in part from His holy concern for His glory. Habakkuk 2:14 declares God’s ultimate purpose is to “fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” God loves His glory and will not share it with arrogant rebels.
By judging sin, God displays the unmatched value of His glory compared to mankind’s sinful lusts. He shows He is the only true God worthy of worship. Judgment humble sinners to see their need for redemption and makes clear the magnitude of God’s grace to forgive through Christ (Exodus 7:5; Romans 9:22-23).
Above all, God seeks to be known and honored as He deserves (Isaiah 48:11). His judgments teach that no one should dare treat Him and His commands with contempt.
The Danger of Presuming on God’s Grace
One of the chief ways people today mock God is by presuming upon His grace and patience. Since Christ bore God’s judgment on our behalf, many assume they are now free to live how they please with no consequences. But as Paul warns the Galatians here, this is dangerous foolishness.
Yes, praise God that in Christ we are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1). But this confidence must never breed complacency or contempt toward God. His grace empowers holiness, not more sin (Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:1-2). True believers will demonstrate repentance and bear good fruits keeping with repentance (Luke 3:8).
If one’s life remains unchanged with no spiritual fruit, treating sin flippantly, Paul says they may have “believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:2) or never truly known Christ (Matthew 7:21-23). While judging hearts is God’s role, evidence of regeneration matters. Grace is not an excuse for mocking God through ongoing unrepentant sin.
How to Apply This Passage with Humility and Wisdom
Recognizing that God hates and judges all sin should humble us. We dare not treat any sin as trivial or presume upon God’s grace. When convicted by the Spirit, we must repent swiftly and turn to Christ.
However, only God knows human hearts. We must be very cautious not to play the role of God’s judgment in others’ lives. Only God knows the full motives and life stories of individuals. We cannot declare that He is punishing someone for their specific sins, even when consequences follow unwise choices.
As Christ taught in Luke 13:1-5 when people assumed tragic deaths were God’s targeted judgment, we should not try to interpret exactly how and when God is judging in specific cases. Our role is to humbly examine our own hearts when we hear of others’ misfortunes, not assign blame (see John 9:1-3). We can warn in general that sin reaps consequences without pronouncing on God’s exact designs.
Most importantly, we should plead God’s mercy on sinners that they might repent and find salvation in Christ (2 Peter 3:9). While God’s judgments are inevitable, there is hope at the cross for all who humble themselves and turn to Him.
Hope for Those Who Have Mocked God
Have you recognized ways you have mocked God? Take Paul’s warning to heart. God knows and sees all; nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13). The wise response is to humble yourself and repent without delay.
Though God hates sin, He offers mercy to all who repent and turn to Christ. Jesus died to bear God’s judgment so repenting sinners could be forgiven and restored (Colossians 2:13-14). There is no sin God’s grace cannot wash away for those who come to Him in genuine faith.
Cry out to God confessing your sins. Trust that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Let His kindness lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4). Determine to live in light of His grace with new obedience.
The Christian life is one of repentance and faith, humbling ourselves before God daily as we rely on His mercy. God will complete His work in you as you submit your life to the Savior in grateful obedience (Philippians 1:6). You can rest confidently in Christ, the God who judges sin yet who showed His love by bearing judgment Himself for your sake.
Key Takeaways
To summarize key lessons from Galatians 6:7 that God is not mocked:
- God cannot be tricked or fooled. He sees and knows all. His character and laws are not to be trifled with.
- Mocking God is presuming one knows better and living in disregard of His commands and authority.
- While patient, God will judge sin. No one gets away with mocking Him forever.
- Judgment shows God values His glory and refuses to share it.
- Trying to mock God only brings harm upon oneself.
- God’s grace is not an excuse for ongoing unrepentant sin.
- We must be cautious about trying to interpret God’s specific motives in other’s lives.
- There is hope and mercy at the cross for all who repent and turn to Christ.
May this sobering reality lead us to greater humility, wisdom and reliance on God’s mercy as we seek to honor Him with our lives.