17 Jun, 2009
Just Joking Around
David Letterman has made a living for the past 30 years telling jokes to the nation on late night tv. He has made a name for himself by pulling no punches in attacking everything and eveyone in the name of comedy.
On Monday night he apologized to Sarah Palin and the nation for making sexually charged jokes about her daughter. Letterman stood in front of the nation and said this:
"I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception of the joke by viewers. And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke."
Not only did David Letterman take responsibility for saying the joke but he took responsibility for the perception that others might have of the joke.
Photo taken from google.com. Story taken from reuters.com.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
What does God say about telling jokes?
Like David Letterman I love telling jokes and joking around with others. Laughter is a key ingredient toward a healthy lifestyle. After reading this passage what are we to think? Does God not want us to joke around? I think not.
What I believe God is saying here is that we must always consider others in our joking around. There is a fine line between laughing with someone and laughing at them. Comedy is "always" walking that fine line. That is the nature of it and what makes funny people truly funny.
However, as Christians, we must think about the outcome of our joke telling. Does our sarcasm make others laugh or does it make them angry? Does our goofy mocking bring joy to the mocked or do they get depressed? The list goes on an on. I think you get the point.
This is a constant struggle for me since laughter is so entwined in my identity. I teach high school and I know it is wrapped up in the identity of teenagers. People like people who are funny and we often will spare no expense to make others laugh. A celebrity like David Letterman does that everyday but even he realized there was a line and that he had crossed it. As Christians, we must do the same even when there isn't a nation watching us.
- As God to show you areas in your life that the joke has taken priority over building others up and ask His forgiveness.
- Memorize Ephesians 4:29 and continue to be funny but with the help of Christ.
- Consider some people you might have had some "unwholesome" conversation toward and ask their forgiveness.
- May 2012 [14]
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- March 2009 [7]
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- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
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- December 2006 [4]
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- June 2006 [3]
