Is SARCASM a Sin?

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

27 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.:wavey::wavey:

Dude it can be sin, or used properly like most other things...heart motive
is the battle ground:thumbs:

 

When sarcasm is used to insult, mock, inflict pain, or ridicule others, of course it is sinful. On the other hand, when it is used to draw attention to truth in a funny and memorable way, then it is not sinful. So the motive of the one using sarcasm determines the answer. Therefore, I voted that I did not find an answer.

Get the log out of your eye before trying to remove a speck from another's eye is an example of sarcasm for the sake of memorable instruction.

Bottom line, when I use sarcasm, it is a sinless and brilliant manner of instruction, but when anyone else uses sarcasm, they reveal their base and cruel heart.

 

Hm ... well, it's in the Bible.

1 Corinthians, NASB
8 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.
9 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.
10 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.
11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;
12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;
13 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. ​

Was Paul being the least bit ironic -- i.e., sarcastic -- here? I'd say that goes without question. Was he intentionally hurtful? Yes, he was. But I think his language was necessary to drag those stubborn Corinthians back in line. Don't know if it worked, but if it did, so much the better.

The problem with us using sarcasm is that we are rarely led by the Holy Spirit to do so. We ain't Paul.

 

No....but if you hum a few notes.....:tongue3:

 

[vulgar post snipped - infractions flowing]

 

most of the time I hate it, because it brings out the worse in me. I tend to duck and swing back harder.
however, I do use it at times to drive home a point, or to put a more sarcastic poster at bay or in his place.

 

Pinoy,

For someone who disagrees with me on the question of evangelism, you are the most gracious poster on here. There are some posters I agree with on theological issues that are the most obnoxious people I have ever met.

 

Mike.....thats what happens when people are raised to be respectful. Have you noticed Chris Christy's .....oh never mind, you get what I am saying.

 

I only use sarcasm on really stupid people, that way they don't know I'm making fun of them.

 

...........Huh?

 

I have what is called a facetious sense of humor. It is usually a little on the sarcastic side, but it's meant as humor and not to hurt anyone. Facetious humor is also saying the opposite of what you actually mean, which is what makes it sarcastic.

Example: Our weather right now is more like summer than winter--sunny and in the 80's F! Facetious humor would be to say, "This is a really cold winter we're having." Actually, this has been the warmest winter since I moved here in December, 2010. Most days this winter, it's been mostly in the 60's to the 80's F and mostly sunny! I praise God for the beautiful and warm winter we've had.

 

Exactly. :thumbs: