I grew up in a home that used sarcasm often. We were also a card game playing family and highly competitive. I think that competitive personalities have a proclivity towards sarcasm. Wouldn’t you agree?

I was taught that a quick wit and thick skin were admirable character traits. We, my brother, sister and I, were taught not to “dish it out” if we couldn’t handle sarcasm in return. Sarcasm was considered part of a person’s personality, an attribute not separated from the person.

Over the years, I have run into many people with similar ideas. I began to ask myself if what I knew about sarcasm was accurate. I began to wonder if that definition of sarcasm was a cover for ungodly behavior. Were we lying to ourselves, others, and God?

Have you ever actually looked up the definition of sarcasm in the dictionary? The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sarcasm as “the use of words that mean the opposite of what one intends to say especially in order to insult, to show irritation, or to be funny:a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on ironic and usually bitter and caustic language often directed against an individual.” According to this definition, I would at first reading define all sarcasm as certainly being sin. However, there are instances when sarcasm is used as a rebuke against ungodliness. It should not be used with our brothers and sisters in Christ unless there is need for a strong rebuke -a call to godliness!

We know from the Ten Commandments that lying is a sin. Whether a Christian may lie to an enemy may be a matter of conviction. We are however, to call out sin. Here are several scriptures related to our topic:

Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Ephesians 4:15 says, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

Luke 17:3 says, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him”

Have you heard the term: war on words? Satan loves when men redefine language. “Did God actually say…?” (Genesis 3:1) Sarcasm is not a part of a person’s being: it is not an excuse for sin. Yes, we were born with sinful natures, but if you’ve been born again, you are a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17) With that being said, not all sarcasm is sin either. Calling all sarcasm sin is as wrong as calling sarcasm a part of a person’s being.

Did you grow up around sarcasm? Are you known for being a sarcastic person? I hope this post gave you some things to consider.