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SarcasmThis year I’ve found myself talking to my students a LOT about sarcasm. And whenever the topic comes up, I usually mention the following uncomfortable verse from Proverbs 26:18-19:

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

Upon citing this verse, I’m frequently met with a reaction of laughing disbelief, something along the lines of, “You can’t possibly be serious!” Most people can’t believe that verse is even in the Bible at all. Sounds a little extreme, right?

Well in typical Bible fashion, the author is right. And he was NOT speaking in hyperbole. This isn’t like the gym teacher in Mean Girls who told the students not to have sex or else they would die. The author isn’t exaggerating just to make a point.

On the contrary, this verse reveals the truly poisonous nature of sarcasm.

I don’t know about you, but I REALLY struggle with sarcasm. It’s one of the main conversational techniques I use to impress others and indicate that I can carry my own in witty conversations. In the past it’s been a significant aspect of my communication with others, and it continues to be.

We justify sarcasm by labeling it as a sign of comradery. We say we can be sarcastic with those to whom we feel closest. According to this logic, sarcasm isn’t a bad thing at all–it’s really an indication of intimacy.

But as the verse in Proverbs reveals, sarcasm isn’t really intimacy at all. It’s a false form of intimacy that masquerades as fellowship. Under the guise of “being comfortable enough to kid,” we replace open, honest conversation with an environment that’s inherently competitive. We encourage a spirit of one-upmanship, highlighting one another’s slip-ups and mistakes for the sake of entertainment and making ourselves look smart.

When sarcasm is allowed to dwell, our friendships are no longer safe places in which individuals can feel free to be vulnerable. That doesn’t mean that vulnerability is altogether absent, but it is less likely, especially when new people join the fold. We may think it’s harmless because all along we’re “only joking,” but in reality we’re short-circuiting any attempt at genuine Christian fellowship.

And that is what sarcasm kills. Sarcasm kills fellowship. And in a larger context, it also poisons ministries. Where sarcasm exists, you are all the more likely to find back-biting and gossip because underneath those jokes, hurt feelings reside. And where hurt feelings have been allowed to fester, they lash out at the first opportunity.

A community can sustain itself on sarcasm for years, but at the nearest sign of trouble those friendships will be tested. When hardship, miscommunication, or disagreement develop, the true mettle of a community will be revealed.

So pardon the pun, but don’t “kid” yourself into thinking that your sarcasm is innocent. The words of Proverbs 26 should dispel any notion of this sort. In reality, sarcasm kills intimacy and it destroys fellowship, so keep that in mind the next time one of your friends accidentally trips and falls on their face, or your spouse drops a glass on the floor. In that moment of vulnerability brought on by obvious imperfection, they need friendship, not an attack disguised as amicable joking.

4 Comments

  • Joe Jones says:

    So this is the most pushy comment I’ve left, but I think it is funny that you’re trying to convince me not to be sarcastic and the image you used is SO funny.

    Which begs the ultimate question faced by anyone trying NOT to be inappropriately sarcastic – “When is sarcasm allowed.” I don’t know the answer honestly. But, I’m afraid of loosing comedy that isn’t hurtful in the process of fixing comedy that is.

    -joejones
    (iagreewithjoe.com)

  • jen says:

    Such a fantastic post! I’m so glad that you are attacking this issue head-on. I am someone who struggles with feeling including and that I belong and the first thing that makes me feel insecure and not loved is sarcasm. It is so dangerous because there is often a twinge of truth in it. Someone wouldn’t be sarcastic if they didn’t pick up on some type of truth and then they exploit it for their own advantage (assuming that everyone else is in on the joke) but they of course say that they aren’t joking. Often when a round of sarcasm starts, I find myself either joining in (to the hurt of myself and/or others) or just find myself hurting and cutting myself off from community. Even when I apologize when I am being sarcastic, very rarely do people understand why I’m apologizing and they think that I’m not being fun anymore. But it is a true killer. I don’t know how I didn’t realize that the issue was dealt with so squarely in Scripture, so next time I will be quick to use that verse in Proverbs. Thanks!!

    P.S. There are a number of social disorders where people literally cannot understand sarcasm, so not only are we being hurtful when to others in general when we use sarcasm, but we are leaving a number of people outside of our attempts at humor. No one would ever dream of being sarcastic to someone with disibilities, especially if you didn’t have a very deep and compassionate relationship with them.

  • yipeng says:

    If you find sarcasm funny… just wait until you are on the receiving end.

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