Jokes, fun, laughter: These are all part of our lives. Comedians are paid big salaries just to come up with things to make us laugh. Is there anything wrong with that? Certainly not. In fact the Bible says, "A merry heart does good, like medicine" (Proverbs_17:22). In Ecclesiastes_3:4 we read that "there is a time to laugh." When then is it wrong to laugh?

Much of the humor we hear from day to day is at the expense of other people. This is against the principles taught in the scriptures. Ephesians_4:29 reads, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Edification is from a Greek word that means to "build up." Jesus said, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). Knowing this, we need to be cautious when we open our mouths. The passage that should remain uppermost in our minds is Ephesians_5:3-4  "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

Governing Officials:

Many jokes have been made poking fun at the leaders of our country. It is amazing how the Bible can give us answers to our every problem. This is no exception. We are told that all the governing powers are set in place by God "for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good" (1Peter_2:14). We also read: "For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans_13:1-2).  Solomon said "Do not curse the king, even in your thought" (Ecclesastes_10:20). While it is true that many officials are not godly, and blatantly oppose God and the Bible, we are to honor them for the office they hold. Even the archangel, Michael, did not directly rebuke the devil (ruler of the kingdom of darkness) but left that to the Lord (Jude_9). Think about this the next time someone makes a snide remark or derogatory joke against one of our leaders.

Parents and In-Laws:

 While many jokes about parents are fine, and everyone knows they are made in good "clean" fun, many are like knife blades to the target. Several television shows (such as the Simpsons) revolve around making parents look stupid. Is this the concept of parenthood we want to show our children? Exodus_20:12; Deuteronomy_5:16; Matthew_15:4 and Ephesians_6:2 are just a few of the passages that tell us to "honor" our parents. In the original language in which these passages were written, the word honor means "to prize, fix a valuation upon, revere." Are we really doing that when we made crude jokes that are designed to make parents look foolish?

Husbands and Wives:

The Lord looks at marriage as sacred. It is something He "joined" together. Ephesians_5:25-28 reads: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself." The same type of command is given to wives in Titus_2:4 "That they admonish the young women to love their husbands"

With this in mind, let's look at the attributes of love in 1Corinthians_13:4-5. Paul says love is "kind." and does not behave "rudely." Is it kind to make crude jokes about someone or insult them for their role in life? I think not. The scripture goes on to say that love is not jealous. Many jokes and slanders have been made because of jealousy. Some people seem to believe (falsely I might add) that by putting someone else down, it makes them appear in a better light. He sums it up by saying that love "thinks no evil." Remember the passage we used earlier in this text. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians_4:29).  

Ethnic Groups:

The term "ethnic" simply means a member of another race (usually a minority group living in a larger population). According to the Scriptures, we are all neighbors; therefore, how are we told to treat our neighbors? Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew_22:39).

When derogatory jokes are made against anyone it is akin to slander, and God takes that very seriously. Psalms_101:5 says: "Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy." This type of behavior causes hard feelings and hurts the intended victim. The Lord says, "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." We've developed slang names to describe people, and this too is not "good to edification."

Think about these things the next time you are tempted to tell (or listen to) a joke making fun of any race of people. Remember, Jesus said "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew_12:37).

Other People:

What is it that makes some folks think it is funny to ridicule or make fun others? Almost any attribute has been used in this fashion. Do we really think blondes enjoy blonde jokes? Do we really think people who are overweight are not hurt by jokes about being fat? Do we really think people who are physically impaired are not saddened by "cripple" jokes? Proverbs_26:18-19 reads: "Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, "I was only joking!" The word translated here as "deceives" is from the Hebrew word "râmâh) (raw-maw'), which means "to hurl; specifically to shoot or throw]. This doesn't sound like the type of comments that would "give grace to the hearers." The prophet said, "Whom do you ridicule? Against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression?" (Isaiah_57:4).

Off-Color:

It never ceases to surprise me at how many Christian people tell jokes and stories that are in this category. We've all heard people say, "Now this is just a little dirty, but it's cute" or "I know I can tell you this and you'll understand I'm not ..." That's like saying, "Oh well, this behavior is just a "little" sinful. As the old preacher said: "It either IS or it AIN'T!" We either use wholesome speech (which comes from a good heart) or we use dirty speech (from an evil heart). Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew_12:34).

Christians cannot walk the fence between what is right and what is wrong in God's sight. There is no "gray area" with the Lord. Either we please Him or we do not. There is no "sort of dirty" joke. It is either dirty or clean. Whether telling one or listening to someone else, it is still wrong.

The Lord's Attitude Toward it All:

The Lord looks at those who would engage in such practices as fools.

• Proverbs_17:28 "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
• Ecclestastes_7:6 "For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool"
• Proverbs_10:19 "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise."

We are told "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Proverbs_15:3). The next time you are temped to tell a joke, or listen to one, ask yourself this question. "If Jesus were standing here beside me, would I tell Him this, or ask him to listen with me?" My friends, He is here! Adam and Eve found out they could not hide their actions from God ... neither can we.

©Jeanetta Watkins