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“contempt” There are many different words that could be used to define the word “contempt” but the one that comes to my mind first is the word “hatred”! If you consider all the words in our English language “contempt” is one the strongest words or expression that our language affords. This word “contempt” appears ten times in the Bible. Although the word “contempt” is not found very many times in your Bible there is another word that is often used which is actually making reference to someone who is “contemptible” and it is the word “despise”. Job was well aware of the danger of having “contempt” [or despising] in his heart: (Job 31:13 – 14) “If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; 14What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?” Job asks a very interesting question in verse fourteen, he asks “what shall I answer him?” He knew that if he held “contempt” against even one of his servants it would be wrong and he would have to give an answer to God for his actions. In fact the Bible says if you despise your neighbor you are not very smart: (Prov. 11:12) “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” Do you want to be free from sin; then don’t have “contempt” in your heart because such who do so are called sinners by the Word of God: (Prov 14:21) “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.” We should keep this in mind when we are harboring ill feelings against another. One who harbors “contempt” may even be referred to as being wicked: (Prov 18:3) “When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.” The message here is a person comes along and has “contempt” in his or her heart that person is “wicked”! As strange as it may sound a wicked man is even despised by those who are wicked. In other words if you are contemptible you don’t have any friends. Give this some thought! In our world you may occasionally meet up with someone you does not like anybody or any thing; including the Word of God: (Isa 5:24) “Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel”. Does this not speak loud and clear of what type of a person we are referring to? Remembering that the words “contempt” and “despised” are use in the scriptures to describe sin we will look again at the word “despise”. Even children are in danger of committing this sin: (Prov 23:22) “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” In light of this passage I must ask this question, “How long will you be the child of your mother?” If we are completely truthful we will remain the children of our mothers as long as we live. Yes, I may be grown and no longer reside in my mother’s house but I am still her child and must never despise her. The same stands true of our fathers as well. As this passage brings up the subject of “begetting” we should also remember that we are “begotten” of God. Brethren, if assembling for worship service becomes unimportant to us are we not “despising” God and the church which Jesus purchased with His own blood. Yes, there may be times that you might have to lose a little sleep if you attend the evening services, but consider this; would you be willing to lose the same amount of sleep to watch your favorite television program or to attend a ball game, etc.? Isn’t it strange how we never consider losing a little sleep except when we are considering going to church. Sometime we feel “contempt” and despise those who are weaker brethren than we are. I would remind you of the words that the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome: (Rom 14:3) “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.” Those who harbor “contempt” are often those who are self-righteous: (Luke 18:9) “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:”
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