The Cursedness of Despisal

Despisal is a terrible thing. Basically, it means “to treat with contempt, look down on, and/or ridicule.” Sadly, it’s a constant in the “arsenal” of fools and a fruit of their state. Consider the following passages and what they reveal about despisal AND about the person who despises:

Genesis 16:4–5 — And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
Genesis 25:32–34 — And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Leviticus 26:15–16 — And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
Numbers 15:31 — Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
2 Chronicles 36:16 — But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
Proverbs 1:7 -— The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 13:13 — Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Proverbs 15:32 — He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Luke 10:16 — He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

When someone engages in despisal, it means they ascribe little to no value to what they’re despising. Considering the fact that one must rightly perceive God and the things of God in order to place proper value on a thing, despisal tells an even bigger story than one might think. To safeguard yourself, make sure you’re striving to rightly perceive God. In so doing, you’ll never be guilty of reflecting the cursedness of despisal.