Introduction:

A. Most folks have experienced a time in which they gave someone serious advice or a correction and that person has just “laughed it off”.  They act as though being corrected is like hurting your knee.  For example:

1. “Hey don’t walk so close to the edge of that cliff or you’ll fall off – ‘ha, ha I can’t fall off -’”.
2. “Hey, you need to start studying more frequently (John 5:39), you need to attend every service (Hebrews 10:25), and you need to start working for the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58) – ‘ha, ha I have been a Christian for ______ years and am a second generation church of Christ member.  Who are you to tell me?  I am hell proof and heaven bound’ –“.
3. Our lesson is set to deal with those who have at one time obeyed the Gospel, but have sense then found themselves able to “laugh off” corrective teaching.

B. Those who “laugh off” good counsel are foolish:

1. Proverbs 12:15

a. Proverbs 14:12
b. Jeremiah 10:23
c. Proverbs 19:20-21

2. How about those who feel they can do no wrong and correction does not apply to them (I Corinthians 10:12).

C. The “laughing off” of sound teaching and advice is not a new issue:

1. II Chronicles 36:14-16
2. Acts 17:30-34

D. Sadly, many come to the hear the preaching of God’s word as though it is a lovely song, but they never hearken unto it (Ezekiel 33:30-33).

1. Are you hear for reasons other than worship and learning?
2. If so, have you considered the colossal waste of time your attendance is?

A. Israel and Judah had a hard time listening to the warnings of God (Jeremiah 5:11).

1. They lied about God saying He was not God and that His warnings should be ignored (v. 12).
2. They said the prophets were basically blowing a lot of hot air that the word of God was not in them (v. 13).
3. Because they have said the prophets words were as air, God will make them as fire that will devour the people (v. 14).
4. The source of the problem is later stated in this chapter (v. 21-25).
5. Many today have the problem of not listening or “laughing off” change excusing themselves like Felix did (Acts 24:24-25).

B. A rebellious heart is the source for closed eyes and ears:

1. Ezekiel 12:1-2
2. Even the one rising from the dead could not make those who ignore the word of God listen (Luke 16:28-31).

C. Christians must have the attitude of Jeremiah when they are mocked for preaching the truth (Jeremiah 20:7-12).

1. We must preach it when they want it and when they don’t (II Timothy 4:2).
2. We must also realize that there is a point in time in which we are wasting time:

a. Matthew 7:6 
b. Matthew 10:14-15

3. There are many who show the traits of Stephen’s last audience of being stubborn whose hearts are covered (Acts 7:51-53). 

a. Some second, third, and fourth generation Christians have watched their families mock the truth and those who bring it.
b. Some of those same second, third, and fourth generation Christians have watched their family members “play church” and they are doing the same while “laughing off” corrective teaching.

II. There are many areas of the Christian life wherein weaker Christians practice the “laugh it off” technique to excuse themselves from being obedient; notice just a few:

A. Attendance:

1. We commanded not to forsake the assembling of the saints (Hebrews 10:25).
2. But, unfaithful attendance (missing Bible class, sleeping in, etc.) is also a matter of commitment to God:

a. Matthew 6:33 
b. Colossians 3:1-3 
c. Matthew 22:36-37 

3 Unfaithful attendance is also a matter of a lack of commitment to the brethren (Hebrews 10:24). 

B. Giving:

1. Our need to contribute financially on the first day of the week is just as clear as our need to partake of the Lords Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-3).
2. It is a matter of where our hearts are (Matthew 6:19-21).
3. How are we to give?  (II Corinthians 9:6-7) 

C. Singing:

1. Some come to worship God, but the feel like singing praises to Him is a waste of time so they “laugh it off” (Hebrews 2:12).

a. Maybe some have lost sight of the fact that the Lord commands us to collective praise Him in song (Ephesians 5:19).

2. Psalms 9:1-2 

D. Some laugh off their worldliness

1. They laugh off teaching on modest apparell (I Timothy 2:9-10).
2. They laugh off teaching against ungodly action and communication (Colossians 3:8). 
3. They laugh off lessons opposing worldly fellowship (II Corinthians 6:14-18, I Corinthians 15:33, and Ephesians 5:11).
4. They have been blinded (II Corinthians 4:3-4).

E. Some “laugh off” scriptural correction, but they are the first to want to correct others (Matthew 7:1-5).
F. Some “laugh off” the invitation thinking they are rejecting the preacher, but they are really rejecting Christ:

1. Matthew 16:24-26 
2. Matthew 10:32-33

A. You are deceived if you think you can laugh your way to Heaven while laughing off God’s word (Galatians 6:7).
B. Rejecting Christ is a temporary choice:

1. John 12:48
2. Romans 14:11-12 

C. Those suffering from “laugh it off” syndrome will truly be unprepared to meet the Lord:

1. Luke 12:16-21
2. Those who prepare move with fear of the consequences of being unprepared (Hebrews 11:7).

D. Those that find warnings from God humorous and continue to sin have missed some powerful verses:

1. Mark 9:43-48
2. Luke 12:4-5 
3. Revelation 20:15 
4. Revelation 21:8 

Conclusion:

A. Stop “laughing off” the word of God, start examining yourself properly, and make changes in your spiritual life if they are needed.
B. If one continues to “laugh off” the counsel of God as though it is the funny joke of the day they need to pay attention to two specific passages in the Bible: Proverbs 1:30-31 “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”

2003 by Brian A. Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.