A Sense of Humor

April 22, 2024

by Doy Moyer A sense of humor is a gift from God. Some take themselves and others far too seriously, so much that they cannot laugh at themselves or enjoy a good chuckle at life’s awkward moments. There is a “time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4), and “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Tensions…

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Uncommon Courtesy

July 10, 2020

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Uncommon-Courtesy.mp3 Text: Romans 15:1-6   I.         Sometimes I have to wonder what happened to common courtesy. The phrase needs to be changed because it seem common courtesy has become uncommon.             A.        Courtesy is “the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others”                         1.         It comes from a French word meaning “courtly ideals; chivalry, chivalrous conduct; elegance…

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Is dark humor sinful?

November 20, 2019

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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Is joking lying?

August 24, 2017

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

November 13, 2014

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?

November 25, 2013

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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How do you handle inappropriate talk in a youth Bible study?

June 14, 2013

Question: I just graduated from high school and started hanging out with my sister’s friends who are the college-age people in our church. Most of them are on our youth staff. They meet together in what they call a Bible study, but we did not touch a Bible once. It seemed like the whole time…

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Are pranks sinful?

April 1, 2012

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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Is all lying bad?

August 7, 2010

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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The Sin of Jesting

February 24, 2008

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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Good, Clean Jokes

April 30, 2007

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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