The Dark Joy of Schadenfreude

by Wayne Greeson The cartoon shows a man standing before a rack of greeting cards. A sign over the rack reads “Schadenfreude Greeting Cards”. The cards in the rack include “greetings” such as: “Glad you were fired”, “Glad your home was repossessed” and “Glad you got divorced.” Schadenfreude (shaa-duhn-froy-duh) is a German word brought into…

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Is it wrong to say something that is not true when joking?

Question: Sometimes when I’m joking, I will mostly say jokes like “There’s a cockroach on your shoulder!” when there isn’t. I like to use sarcasm too. Are these jokes counted as sin? Is sarcasm bad? Answer: Lying is always wrong. “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers…

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Is dark humor sinful?

Question: Is all dark humor a sin? Answer: Dark humor refers to making something that is shocking, morbid, or disgusting into a joke. A part of its appeal is the strength of the conflicting emotions that it brings about. The problem is that it treats serious subjects as if they were not serious. This would…

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Does God have a sense of humor?

Question: I have wondered many times if God had a sense of humor. I’ve watched many videos where Jesus had conversations with many people. During some conversations, people admit that Jesus had this sweet, soft type of humor behind some of his remarks. So this brings me to the question, does God (the Father, Jesus,…

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Is joking lying?

Question: Hey Jeffrey, I was reading your articles on lying and it got me to thinking about something. Is joking or teasing lying? For instance, if someone asks me what I do for a living and as a joke I say I “push semi-trucks with my hands” for a living as a joke, only then tell…

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I appreciate your definition of course jesting

Question: I read your definition and explanation of coarse jesting on Google, and I appreciate it. It helped me to understand the term better in the context in which it is written in Ephesians 5:4. Thanks for your input. Answer: Happy to be of service.

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Is it wrong to tell jokes?

Question: Please, I want to know the difference between jesting and comedy. Is being a comedian godly? Answer: Humor is an important part of communication. There is nothing wrong with telling jokes, so long as they are appropriate. You would not make a joke that implied you would (or did) commit a sin. You would…

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Are pranks sinful?

Question: Hi, I just wanted to ask whether pranks are a sin. I’m aware of the passage in Proverbs 26:19 where it states we shouldn’t lie and then say we are joking. Does that mean all pranks are sinful? Thank you very much. Answer: “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the…

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More Sermon Topic Ideas

by Glenn Hamilton In 1626 a pamphlet was published in London, entitled “A most Delectable, Sweet, Perfumed Nosegay, for God’s Saints to smell at.” About the year 1646 there was published a work entitled “A Pair of Bellows, to blow off the Dust cast upon John Fay;” and another called “The Snuffers for Divine Love.”…

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Is all sarcasm sin?

Question: Is all sarcasm sin? Answer: Sarcasm is defined as “witty language used to convey insults or scorn.” Generally, sarcasm appears to be praise, often over the top, which actually conveys disapproval. Sarcasm, considered by itself, is not sinful. It is a language technique that can get a person to sit up and take notice…

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Is all lying bad?

Question: This question is about lying. Is lying in all views, such as white lies or small lies, a sin? Is there such a thing as using a lie to help someone? I can’t think of a good example now, but I do hope you know what I mean. There are also lies about even…

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An Idea for a Sermon Topic

by Jefferson David Tant Sometimes preachers are hard-pressed to come up with a good sermon topic. In reading some of my father’s old church bulletins from Norman, Oklahoma, (April 1946), he wrote of a famous preacher in London many years ago who announced his sermon for the next Sunday – “A Reaping Hook Well Tempered…

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What do you think of what T. B. Wilkinson wrote concerning Calvinism?

Question: I have read an article written by a member of a church of Christ writer called “By Nature the Children of Wrath” refuting the Calvinistic doctrine of total depravity. I would just like to ask whether you agree with the arguments offered in this article. If not, why not?  May God bless you. Answer:…

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The Sin of Jesting

by Kent Heaton “Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as…

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How can a nine-year-old get a girl?

Question: How can a nine-year-old get a girl? Answer: Water balloons work really well if your aim is good, and if you catch her by surprise, you might get a little way down the street before she clobbers you.

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Good, Clean Jokes

Put your mouse over the question to see its answer. Printing this page will include the answers along with the questions. What animal could Noah not trust? The cheetah. What kind of lights did Noah have on the ark? Flood lights. What Bible character may have only been a foot tall? Nicodemas … he was…

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An Anecdote from “Raccoon” John Smith

by Louis Cochran In passing a Methodist camp meeting one day in September he stopped to watch a young Methodist preacher baptize a howling, rebellious infant by sprinkling water on the squirming body. When the service was concluded, he stepped to the front of the crowd and, identifying himself, took the preacher firmly by the…

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