By Kevin Williams.
In many circles today the use of sarcasm has been outlawed. And Unfortunately many Christians are now trained in political correctness and cry "unloving" and “ungracious” at the slightest hint of sarcasm. But the usage of sarcasm IS BIBLICAL. There are many examples I can point to in Scripture:Jesus said in John 15:7 "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Now, the context of the righteous persons there are the Pharisees, and I assure you He’s not teaching they’re perfect there.
Isaiah 45:20b "They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. 21 Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together!"
John 7:22 "Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath."
Paul sarcastically mocks the Corinthians in 1 Cor 4:8 "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. "
1 Kings 22:15-16 "15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”"
Sarcasm is all over the Bible. So don’t buy into this politically correct worldly philosophy that’s it’s always unloving.
To quote Charles Spurgeon, and he’s speaking here about those who cowardly refuse to speak harshly about sin:
"Men are perishing, and if it be unpolite to tell them so, it can only be so
where the devil is the master of the ceremonies. Out upon your soul-destroying politeness; the Lord give us a little honest love to souls, and this superficial gentility will soon vanish. I could with considerable refreshment to myself pour sarcasm after sarcasm upon religious cowardice. I would cheerfully sharpen my knife and dash it into the heart of this mean vice. There is nothing to be said in its favor. It is not even humble; it is only pride of too beggarly a sort to own itself."May the Lord raise up more people like Spurgeon and John Knox, who are prepared to call a spade a spade without worrying about offending sinners.
See also: Judge Not & You'll Still Be Judged. Clearing Up the Common Misconceptions-Kevin Williams
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