Joking is Sin?

Ephesians 5:4-5
(4) Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse JOKING, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (5) For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Amplified Bible
Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] JOKING , because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].

Good News Translation
Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God.

New Living Translation
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse JOKES—these are not for you.
Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Joking is a talk intended for fun only. Joking can be between friends or a public presentation for entertainment purposes. Joking is a common pastime activity when people gather together to catch up. Is joking a sin?

Social media has messages, pictures, and videos that are pure jokes. Entertaining the public by telling jokes has become a career for some people. Content-sharing social media platforms have jokes that are shared around for fun. Is joking a sin?

Joking can also have a negative meaning. If a teacher tells a parent that his or her child is joker in school, the parent would be very worried. This is because being a joker means you are not serious and you can’t be serious. Is joking a sin?

Jokes are interesting because they have some truths but are twisted. Jokes contain the truth but are intentionally designed to elicit laughter. Jokes are not just about what is said, sometimes it is about how it is said, and even who said it. Jokes can easily become a platform to communicate serious issues and pretend that it is all on a light note. Jokes are hilarious and we don’t mind them or even sharing them. But the question of the day remains unanswered, is joking sin?

The Bible is our text today and lists people and activities that will be barred from inheriting the kingdom of God. To miss the kingdom of God means you are a sinner or the activity is sinful. To miss the kingdom of God is the ultimate loss for which there is no recovery. It is a loss worth avoiding. Can jokes and joking prevent a person from gaining eternal life? Is joking a sin?

In that list of people and activities that must end here miserably, includes coarse joking. Coarse means it is obscene and vulgar. Joking is not a sin. Coarse joking is a sin. There is a difference. Coarse explains the types of jokes that will not be admissible in eternal life. Other types of jokes may be welcome, but coarse joking has no place in a Christian’s life. Coarse joking is a sin!

Jokes that insinuate sexual activity are sinful. Jokes that use indecent language are not welcome. Jokes that cause the mind to lust are unacceptable. Jokes that make fun and tend to enjoy that which has been religiously prohibited are proscribed for believers. The joke that makes sin seem like a causal matter is sinful. Jokes that disrespect those who deserve respect and thus encourage disobedience are unacceptable. Jokes that make fun of God and demean the perception of God are blasphemous. All these are what we refer to as Coarse joking. Coarse joking is a sin!

Sharing coarse jokes is a sin. Listening to coarse jokes and enjoying them, hence encouraging the joker, is a sin. Sharing them on social media is a sin. May God save us from the lure of coarse joking, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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