Is Sarcasm a SIN? When the Truth gets sacrifice on the altar of political correctness

[Ariel82]

Just wondering. some people think joking, humor, parody, sarcasm is a sin.

[h=3]1 Kings 18:26-28
[/h]New King James Version (NKJV)

[SUP]26 [/SUP]So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made.
[SUP]27 [/SUP]And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” [SUP]28 [/SUP]So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

Should we be so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we don't speak God's Truth?

Do you judge others words by how much you LIKE them or HOW they say it, versus if what they say line up with the Bible?


Matthew 12:34
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Luke 11:44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

 

[letti]

I think joking with discretion in mind is fine,but I guess another factor would be on what topic.Also taking in consideration,who you are joking with and if they aren't to serious all the time.

 

[Ariel82]

I think most people would say joking is alright.

I was wondering about taking it the next step to sarcasm and calling people out like the examples from the Bible I gave above.

Is it ever ok to do things like Elijah did by mocking the other priests trying to call upon their gods?

Or call anyone a hypocrite, whitewashed tomb, brood of vipers, open tombs, wolf in sheep's clothing, etc like Jesus called those twisting the scriptures to enslave people in lies?

 

[Missachu]

Humor is okay as long as you have boundaries.

 

[4enlightment]

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.

Matthew 9:4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Matt 21:24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Matt 21:27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Matthew 22:17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

Matthew 22:21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Revelation 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.


Elijah made those remark to make sure that they doesn't bring up excuses later on why did their gods didn't answered them and then he had told the people to soak with water his sacrifice for the Lord to show that he has confidence that the Lord is God by making it impossible for his sacrifice to burn. So basically Elijah just want to put an end to that chapter.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Not sin, but just have to be careful not to hurt anyone. Not always an easy thing to know...

 

[Ariel82]

Should we be so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we don't speak God's Truth?

 

[J-Kay]

Should we be so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we don't speak God's Truth?

I think I know what you are asking, and no we should never hold back what we know to be Gods Truth.
I have been here before, and have seen it go both ways. A serious topic would be brought up and then
mocking was taking place. When one came on with the truth of Gods Word, I was like, YES !!! Someone
gets it and not afraid to speak up. Keep up the good work Ariel ~ Do as God leads ~ His Word is never going
to return void. ~ He said so. ~

 

[J-Kay]

Should we be so afraid of hurting someone's feelings that we don't speak God's Truth?

I think I know what you are asking, and no we should never hold back what we know to be Gods Truth.
I have been here before, and have seen it go both ways. A serious topic would be brought up and then
mocking was taking place. When one came on with the truth of Gods Word, I was like, YES !!! Someone
gets it and not afraid to speak up. Keep up the good work Ariel ~ Do as God leads ~ His Word is never going
to return void. ~ He said so. ~

 

[J-Kay]

sar·casm
ˈsärˌkazəm
noun
noun: sarcasm; plural noun: sarcasms
1.
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
"his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment"
[TABLE="class: vk_tbl vk_gy"]
[TR]
[TD="class: lr_dct_nyms_ttl"]synonyms:
[/TD]
[TD]derision, mockery, ridicule, scorn, sneering, scoffing; irony;
cynicism


[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Ariel82]

I appreciate ironic things but I don't think we should hold other people in contempt. therefore, i wonder if the use of sarcasm ever justified?

I guess I've always used sarcasm not to show my contempt but to make others question their stance. I'm just thinking now how offended some people get because of it.

I'm also wondering where we as Christians should draw the line?

Even though Jesus called people names, I don't think we should. I think its against the forum rules and might be viewed as a personal attack. However, even if we don't write it, if we think it and believe it in our hearts is that wrong or is that discernment?

I wonder, what does God hold in contempt?

What does God mock and call foolish?

I remember reading some Bible verses about it.

I know God does not like hypocrites, people who oppress the poor or widowed, people who lie and cheat, murder and steal.

Those who judge people by their material wealth and give more honor to the richly clothed than the needy poor.

 

[letti]

Any purposeful intent meant to hurt is bad,but then there are the times you haven't thought before you spoke and goofed,ending up hurting somebodies feelings.We are Christian,but we will still make mistakes.But,being the peace bearer is always good.Truth of Christ,is also being willing to end any dispute.Forgiveness is that act of love we are expected to abide by.

 

[Ariel82]

I guess it does come down to intent. and I think sarcasm even if it doesn't so contempt for the person but the person's ideas can still to often be misunderstood and hurt feelings rather than be constructive.

Plus there are other ways to express disagreement.

Though if someone is sarcastic to begin with does that mean you can respond in the same manner?

 

[letti]

After,all if you want to show people,GOD in a good light,as we were to do,then you do that which stands for Christ not according to your flesh which is of the world,that is blind to the spirit.The spirit,desires to forgive and love.

 

[letti]

The spirit,of Christ living in you forgive and love,turn the other cheek=forgive others when they trespass against you.For instead of hold contempt in your heart for them,pray GOD may allow them to see the error of there way or (WAYS).

 

[Ariel82]

I just finished reading this article. it has some very good points.

Sarcasm - Effective Tool or Deadly Weapon?

Notice what God’s Word says about this: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3).


Always ask yourself, “Do my words and actions help and encourage others? Do they build others up or do they tear them down?” Of course, we all occasionally make comments in a mildly sarcastic or facetious manner, without intending to demean others. Sometimes, such statements can lighten a tense moment or bring a smile to another person’s face, when he or she realizes the true intent behind it. By looking at creation, we can see that God definitely has a sense of humor. Therefore, it is not wrong to sometimes look at things from the “lighter side.”


But tact and discretion must be exercised. Even when a particular comment could potentially lighten a serious moment, you must put yourself “in the other person’s shoes,” and imagine how such a statement may be received. Although your intentions could be very innocent, and even good, “a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment” (Ecc. 8:5), and knows when to say (or not to say) what.


Also notice Proverbs 17:28: “Even a fool, when he holds his peace [does not speak], is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” It is sometimes better to say nothing at all.


Again, examine your motive. Sometimes, you may be tempted to make a particular remark simply to show others how “clever” you are, without even considering how it will make the other person feel.


Psalm 5:9 describes those whose “throat is an open sepulcher,” and Jesus Christ said, in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

What got me thinking about this topic was I read my kids After/before School program handbook and they had this statement listed:

"We Do Not:
DO NOT spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap, or otherwise physically punish the children.
DO NOT make fun of, yell at, threaten, make sarcastic remarks about, use profanity, or otherwise verbally abuse the children."

Made me think back at sarcasm and what it really means and how it affects people.

I've never heard of it called verbal abuse, but I guess it is.

People take it for granted in today's society. its like one of those bad habits you pick up and you don't even realize its bad.

 

[letti]

I,refuse to lie, and be a hypocrite,but in honesty no returning with a snide remark isn't what we are supposed to do in return.Because sarcasm out of spite,it isnt right.GOD knows our heart and its intent always.

 

[Ariel82]

This article makes a difference between Satire and Sarcasm.....

What does the Bible say about satire and/or sarcasm?

The question is, is satire or sarcasm ever appropriate? This would be easy enough to resolve if not for the fact that God uses satire in several places in Scripture. For example, Paul's words in this passage:

You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. 1 Corinthians 4:8-13

Is Paul's language ironic here? Absolutely. Was it hurtful? Intentionally so. Yet, because his intent was to lead the stubborn Corinthians to the truth, it can still be considered loving. In fact, Paul followed this passage with, "I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children."

The Corinthians would not have considered Paul’s language intentionally cruel. Instead, they would have recognized Paul was using rhetoric to make a point. The Corinthians felt superior to Paul, casting judgment on him. So he calls them spiritual kings and says, ironically, that God considers His apostles “scum” and “dregs.”

The passage sounds sarcastic. It says one thing while meaning another in a way that makes the hearers look foolish. But Paul’s method was not meant as a personal insult. The goal was to grab the readers’ attention and correct a false way of thinking. In other words, Paul’s words are satirical, but not sarcastic. They are spoken in love to “beloved children.”

Other passages in the Bible that use satire include Isaiah’s ridicule of idol-makers (Isaiah 40:19-20), God’s taunting of Egypt (Jeremiah 46:11), and Elijah’s gibes directed at the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27). Jesus Himself used satire in the form of hyperbole when He told His hearers to “take the plank out of your own eye” (Matthew 7:5).

Therefore, we can say that irony is fine; irony is a figure of speech that can bring attention and clarity to a situation. Sometimes, irony can be painful because the truth it reveals is convicting. Satire, which uses irony to gently deride and prompt needful change, can be appropriate on occasion; we have examples of satire in Scripture.

Sarcasm, on the other hand, is not appropriate. Sarcasm has at its core the intent to insult or to be hurtful with no corresponding love or wish for well-being. Instead, the goal of sarcasm is to belittle the victim and elevate the speaker. Jesus warned against such harsh, unloving words in Matthew 5:22. Our words should be helpful and edifying, even if they are uncomfortable to the hearer.

We should speak the truth with loving intent (Ephesians 4:15), avoiding “foolish talk or coarse joking” (Ephesians 5:4). We should speak in such a way that the hearer will understand our motivation. And we should never be malicious or cruel. Carefully worded irony may be fitting, but malicious sarcasm is not.

Read more: What does the Bible say about satire and/or sarcasm?

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[letti]

Yes,you are right there is a difference.I't is just some people do not get the difference.So if they read the post they may better understand.Some people should read it.

 

[crossnote]

I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! (Gal 5:12)

These are pretty strong words coming from the Apostle Paul in this 'age of grace'.
Paul was dealing with those who mixed works with the free gift of salvation.

When dealing with those persistent in their errors I see it no harm to speak what the apostles spoke.

The group my patience runs thin with is theological liberals who have the sheep's clothing but deny the authority of God's Word. They are a cancer to the Body of Christ and must be called out for what they are.