Scripture has many examples of sarcastic speech. Paul uses it with the Corinthians. Or consider Elijah, who mocks the prophets of Baal:

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” – 1 Kings 18:27 (ESV)

I often hear Christians engaging in sarcastic remarks… sometimes in a playful mood, poking fun at someone’s downright silliness. For the target of the witty comment, the temptation is to be offended. I propose a different response. As humans, we do really stupid things, so why not admit it and laugh with others at our own silly behavior? As I mature, my friends are helpful enough to point out my immaturity. In these times, I find it helpful to laugh at my stupidity. It is humbling to remember my fallibility! Thank you dear friends for the moments of laughter and the opportunities you provide to remind me of my creature status.

But other times, I hear Christians use sarcasm in more tense situations… in settings of disagreement. I would classify these words as “fighting words.” Does Scripture provide us with any guidance on what type of sarcasm we should use? Scripture says that our speech is very important. For out of the overflow of our hearts, the mouth speaks. What we say reveals our heart, which is full of sinful tendencies.

If Elijah was sarcastic, are we to emulate Elijah’s style?

It is helpful to remember that Scripture is directly inspired by God and is God-breathed. The words that proceed out of my mouth are not! While I don’t see a flat out prohibition of offensive sarcasm, I wonder how appropriate it is to use. Consider Paul’s admonition:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29

Questions to think about:
- Do our words build others up and give grace to our hearers?
- Is sarcasm ever helpful in communication, to prove our point?
- Is sarcasm ever appropriate, period?

The mandate of scripture is the most significant reason Christians should not have lawsuits against fellow believers (brothers in good standing before their church).

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud–even your own brothers! – 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 (ESV)

In thinking through this passage, it struck me that scripture appeals to us not only through mandate, but also through a pleading for wisdom. (As a presuppositionalist, I am struck by the wisdom of Paul’s admonition.) How can we take our conflicts to the world to decide? While unbelievers may have a sense of justice because of common grace, they do not accept the things of God. They do not see the world through the same lenses. 1 Corinthians 2:14 states: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

The NIV puts verse 4 this way: “Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!” Paul seems to be saying that even lowly Christians are wiser than the most astute secular judges. How can this be? Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) Those who have a relationship with the Supreme law-giver are wise unto salvation. The Lord, who does not treat us as our sins deserve, requires us to act justly and to love mercy. (Micah 6:8)

Let us apply this passage to our lives and fear the Lord, the only righteous judge.

Last week, I listened to this sermon from 10th Presbyterian, which was based on Colossians 3:11:

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

The sermon explained that humans naturally and sinfully show partiality. We like to be with people that are most like us. We like to stay in our comfort zones. We create barriers, distinguishing between classes, occupations, races, and age groups. When we set up unbiblical barriers, we create disunity. This may hinder the spread of the gospel message and the glory of God.

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? – James 2:1-4

But Praise be to God, for He transcends the man made boundaries which we have erected.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! – Psalm 133

This makes me wonder: why would we try to split up churches by race?

I need to be careful in what I say here: I am not criticizing all racially based churches, for perhaps God has given a church a special mission to reach a particular people group with the Gospel. This is particularly effective when there are language barriers. But God would have us consider why we do the things we do and how we can most effectively serve Him.

I have a few questions to ask concerning cliques in churches. These may be questions of wisdom and prudence (in distinction from questions of morality), but my hope is that these questions can shed light on wrongful attitudes that we have that need change. The heart of my questioning is a motivation for effective gospel service and a church that reflects God’s glory. Consider these pragmatic questions:

1. Is your church effectively fulfilling its mission? (What is its particular mission?) Are you playing a part in that mission? Are you effectively serving those God has already placed around you?

2. Are you closing the door on windows of opportunity? Are you afraid to get out of your comfort zone? For those that go to racially based churches: Would it be easier for you to invite your co-workers, neighbors, and friends to a church that was not racially based?

3. What would God have you do to maximize opportunities for your growth, fellowship, and ministry? What do you base your fellowship with other Christians around? Is it Christ or is it simply matters of small importance? Are you uncomfortable around “different” Christians? Can you relate to and serve people who are not like you?

The whole world needs to hear the gospel. This is primarily through the ministry of local churches. Let us consider how we can proclaim the gospel most effectively. Soli deo gloria.

I have a great respect for men like Wayne Grudem and Al Mohler. (I’m sure many more deserve to be on the list. For example: MacArthur, Duncan, Sproul, Piper, professors and pastors who shepherd me…) These men are scholars of the first rate. Intellectuals for Christ.

In listening to one of Grudem’s sermons, what struck me about his research into a particular Greek word was that he was driven by a motivation to apply scripture faithfully and to live rightly before God. His particular findings had practical implications for proper Christian living. Similarly, Al Mohler did a great job in developing a countercultural thesis and presenting a Christian worldview to young men.

Kris Lundgaard, in The Enemy Within, comments on the study of scripture:

Never let it be your goal to search the Scriptures to find a new insight to tickle your hunger for learning or to have something neat to share with your small group. And never study and pray without God’s help. He is the one who revealed his truth, and only he can enlighten your mind to know it. … Ask him to open his mind and will to you, so that you may know him and love him more. He delights to do it. – p.72

Although Kris was talking about scripture, the same principle can be applied to academia in general. Nuclear physics, biochemistry, contract law, and abstract algebra are not definitive guides to life and godliness like Scripture is. But we can study them to bring every thought captive to Christ and to know God more fully. We don’t study those subjects simply to have more head knowledge. We study them to bring God glory and praise.

May we remember that what we study has a purpose. Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

The Bible forbids mixed marriages. Not interracial marriages, but marriages between Christians and non-Christians. In 2 Corinthians 6, God commands Christians not be yoked with unbelievers. The marriage bond is such an important bond. The two become one flesh, both physically and spiritually. What fellowship does light have with darkness?

It is amazing what unity Christians have because of Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. – Galatians 3:29.

(This verse does not mean there are no differences in roles between male and female, but rather, that Christ is Lord over all and there is no partiality with him. See Eph 6:9)

If you claim Christ as your Lord and Saviour, know this: you are Christ’s and you have been bought with a price. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corin 6:19) Christ would have us put away prejudice and look to what really matters.

Points of application:
1. You should seek to marry someone who is a child of Abraham. We should not waste our energy pursuing spouses from the wrong crowd. (See Romans 3:29, Romans 9:6, and Galatians 3:7-28-29)

2. Look for the right things in a spouse. (Proverbs 31, 1 Peter 3, Ken Ham’s book.)

3. Realize that all Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)

4. Understand that unbelievers need to hear the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-13)

On a somewhat related topic, check out this short clip. Dr. Ryken explains what he sees as the “single greatest threat to romantic love in America today.”

Christian Hedonism all the way!