The Truth In Print Vol. 19 Issue 5, June 2013
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Getting Smart with God (Sarcasm)
Many people, including some in the church,
think that all uses of sarcasm are simply wrong and belong in the category of
improper speech. The American Heritage Dictionary’s definition: 1. Sarcastic, adj. 1. Expressing sarcasm.
Synonyms: sarcastic, ironic, caustic, satirical, sardonic. These adjectives apply
to personal expression that is bitter, cutting, or derisive. … Sarcastic
suggests open taunting and ridicule; ironic suggests a milder and subtler form
of mockery. Caustic can apply to any expression that is biting or corrosive. Satirical refers to
expressions that seek to expose wrong or folly to ridicule, often by means of sarcasm
or irony. Sardonic can describe both the content
and manner of expression and is associated with scorn, derision, mockery, and
cynicism.
Just like “satire” which is often
humorous ridicule that conveys a rebuke or criticism, likewise “sarcasm” can be
used to expose folly and vice. Brethren it is not wrong to expose folly to
ridicule!
Examples of Sarcasm
Cain Chose To Be Sarcastic With
God:
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). He lied but
this is more than an interrogative statement. Its
subtleness suggests that if anyone should take care of Able it should be God!
God, your question doesn’t appertain to me!
Sarcasm Was Used Against Moses:
“And they said unto Moses, Because there
were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth
out of Egypt?” (Ex. 14:11).
There is abundant evidence of the
unfaithful speaking against the faithful throughout the Bible. Their speech
condemned them and proved their lack of trust in God. Thus we see in the
scriptures the difference in speech that is folly and rightful speech that
exposes folly to ridicule. Moreover, we should not deny the value of the
latter!
Elijah Mocked The
False Prophets Of Baal:
“And it
came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a
god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or
peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked” ( I Ki 18:27). They really believed their god would answer. Elijah rightfully mocks them and their
false god (cf. Pr. 1:24-33; 3:34). He used it to save his own people for they
delayed in their decision until the final outcome of his sacrifice being accepted
by God.
Micaiah Used Sarcasm
Against King Ahab:
“And all the
prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead,
and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand. And the
messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the
prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee,
be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
And Micaiah
said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak” ( I
Kings 22:12-14). So the Lord is guilty of using sarcasm! Moreover, Ahab knew
that he used sarcasm and that he was mocking the 400 lying prophets by saying
the exact same thing they did. Read further and see how the truth was received
when Micaiah presented it in another way (cf. I Kings
22:17-28).
The Book Of Job
Contains Much Sarcasm:
To his friends who had come in his time of distress he
said, "Truly then you are the people, And with
you wisdom will die! But I have intelligence as well as you; I am not inferior to
you. And who does not know such things as these?” (Job 12:2-3). At sporting
event people yell “You da man!” when an athlete does
well. Have you ever heard “You are the man” used to mean that one doesn’t excel
as he thinks he does? When you die where will wisdom go? We know they were
sorry comforters (Job 16:2); they didn’t give Job what he needed — they were
liars and worthless physicians (Job 13:4-5). Job 26:2 "What a help you are to the weak!
How you have saved the arm without strength!” Job 26:3 "What counsel you have given to
one without wisdom! What helpful insight you have abundantly provided!
Isaiah Mocked
Idolatry:
“To whom will ye liken me,
and make me equal, and
compare me, that we may be like? They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship. They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his
place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not
remove: yea, one shall cry unto
him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble” (Isa. 46:5-7).
The same applies to the local witch in the
community who is supposed to be a good witch that appears for community events
with her “cards” that she keeps in a box, and has to carry there (they don’t
walk) to the event. Most people will simply not do what needs to be done in
such cases and expose them thoroughly! You might recall the title of this
lesson is “Getting Smart WITH God.”
Paul Concerning Israel Being
Without Excuse:
“But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their
sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? …” (Romans
10:17-18). Paul proves here that Israel had no excuse as they were given every
opportunity to come to Christ! Moses had warned them about their hardened
hearts (vs. 19). God could not possibly be thinking this about one’s lack of
response today, could He. If you have heard the Gospel
and haven’t obeyed then, Surely you’ve never heard,
have you? Surely you did not know, did you?
Paul Plainly Told Corinth What
They Were “Not” By Sarcasm:
“Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I
would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels,
and to men. We are fools for
Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised” (1 Cor. 4:8-10). You really
are not this! Their teaching was lacking, their conduct immoral and their love
of world too important! Not Wise! Not Strong! Not Honorable!
Sarcasm that cuts to
the bone:
“For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into
bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold
also” (2 Cor. 11:19-21).
Here’s your tolerance! Your church tolerates
immorality, arrogance, craft, insult, false teachers and false teaching! Oh
brethren do so well when to involve themselves with those who promote Florida
College, camps offering worship and edification — even soliciting funds for
such among brethren, foundations set up by brethren for worship and evangelism,
benevolence societies built by brethren soliciting for needy saints. Surely
children who grow up where such are not taught against will not affected, will
they?
Sarcasm for those teaching Circumcision:
“And I, brethren, if I yet
preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you” (Galatians
5:11-12). I was once
asked if Paul really meant what he said? I’m real sure
that Paul meant that he wished they’d separate themselves before any more of
the Galatians were lost to their false doctrine of justification by going back
to the Mosaic Law!
Jesus used sarcasm with hyperbole:
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will
see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (Matt. 7:5). Correction
is as important as detection!
The proper use of sarcasm does not
violate these scriptures:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever
shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than
these cometh of evil.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in
love.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers.
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:
but rather giving of thanks.
Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that
you will know how you should respond to each person.
Some Important Observations on Sarcasm:
1. Paul’s use of sarcasm is not “enticing words of man’s wisdom” – God
authorized it and Paul used it by inspiration thus it edified (I Cor. 2:4).
2. It can be used
to lead the hard hearted to the truth.
3. What really
bothers some in the proper use of it is the Truth it upholds (2 Tim. 4:2-4).
4. Those who object to the use of sarcasm do not understand how reproof and
rebuke can “edify” along with exhorting (2 Tim. 4:2).
5. Sarcasm is not
joking (cf. Pr. 26:18-19).
6. The rightful
use of sarcasm is a good tool to teach truth and it is found in the Word of
God.
Surely you’ve never heard, have you? Surely you do not
know, do you? Get smart with God!
By Bob Lovelace
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To
learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com