Reading: Humor That Blesses Others (Video Slides)

Humor That Blesses Others

by Henry Reyenga

Scriptural Guidelines

Ephesians. 5:4   Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Scriptural Guidelines

Proverbs 26:18   Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!” 

Giving Someone A Hard Time /Mocking

The point is tearing down and not building up!

Conversational abusive humor.

Romans 15:2     Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Hidden Agenda Joking

"Truth in Jest”

Disguised control or judgment of some sort.

Matthew 5:37   Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Gossipy Humor

Joking about someone who isn't in your conversation.

Discounting humor.

Self-promoting humor at someone else's expense.

Proverbs 26:22    The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. 

Hostile Humor

Humor that makes abusive behavior seem funny.

Ephesians 4:31    Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

Sarcasm

Criticism or unflattering comparison in the clothes of humor.

Psalm 55:21 His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

Crude Humor

Sexual humor that degrades the gift of sexuality.

Romans 1:24   Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 

Morally Or God Insulting

Humor that needs swearing on God's name or morally inappropriate words, images or metaphors to make it funny.

Ex. 20:7    "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” 

Racial, Ethnic, Class, Disability Humor

Humor that puts down another culture, race, class group, or disability.

Psalms. 72:11 All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.

James 2:1   My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 

Gender Aggressive Or Passive Aggressive Humor

Male

Female

Gay or Lesbian

Transgender

1 Peter 2:17   Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 

Humor That Blesses

Surprise

What element of surprise that perks interest? 

Shared Community

How can we share this humor. Stay away from "You had to be there” humor. 

Artful Elaboration

Playful exaggeration that has nothing or little to do with needing truth, evidence or citation in the narrative.

Larger Than Life

Change the venue of the humor to make it larger than life, e.g. Jesus Parables

Loving Humor

1 Corinthians 13:1-8   If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.