Your Team Can Do Without This Person.

Prov. 22:10 - Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.    NASU 

• The Scoffer 

Here is one definition of a scoffer: the manifestation of contempt by insulting words or actions; it combines bitterness with ridicule. (from ISBE, Copyright © 1996, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
 
The scoffer is the one person on your team you can do without.
 
This person is constantly mocking other people with either words or their actions. When you catch them mocking someone and you call them out on this they are going to say, "I was only joking around. What you can't make any jokes around here?"
 
NO, they weren't just joking around. They were causing contention; they were starting to divide your team. (When I use the word "team" its intended meaning is either a sports team or work team.)
 
The longer you allow this person to be on your team the more damage you are going to have to repair. This will only take away from what you really are supposed to be doing, accomplishing the goals you have set for your team. 

• Results Of Removing The Scoffer 

The writer of this proverb says, "Contention, strife and dishonor will all leave once the scoffer is driven out." You can see the scoffer is not going to go on his/her own. You have to drive them out or drive them off your team. You have to show them the door.
 
This is not an easy thing to accomplish, but if you are a leader you already know that the tough decisions have to be made by you.
 
You cannot have constant contention on a winning team. When you remove the scoffer you will be removing contention, strife and dishonor.

As a leader have you ever thought, "Man, I would like a little peace and quiet?" If you want peace and quiet you will have to remove the scoffer from your team, if you have one on it. 

• Results Of Leaving A Scoffer On Your Team 

I would say we look no further than the Miami Dolphins and Richie Incognito. They left him on the team and have had nothing but bad publicity and strife ever since. (He is now no longer on the team and I would bet the Head Coach and owner is glad to have that distraction behind them.)
 
One thing you will want to remember and that is scoffers many times are really talented. Your first thought is "I hate to lose them." or you may also think, "How am I going to replace them?" What you really need to be thinking is how much greater your team is going to be when the contentious person is removed.
 
You really need to remember this: A scoffer on your team will make you regret the day you hired him/her or recruited him/her. You would be better to replace them with someone who has half the talent, but doesn't cause dissension and strife within the team.

Always remember your team can do without a scoffer.

Think On These:
The bigger a man's head gets the easier it is to fill his shoes.
 
The man who is self-centered is off-centered.
 
Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word