Joking = Sin?

Hello, me and a friend were talking and would like to know if joking is a sin?Is it considerd a lie?Thank you

i would say that joking is not a sin.Ask yourself if you would be comfortable with the joke if Jesus was listening or saw you doing it. Remember Matt 12; 35+36.

so you're never funny?

The context around the scripture in Ephesians 5:4 seems to be centered around the issue of immorality. The scripture before and after seem to indicate that.I don't think we are in sin if we are playing around and joking with our children or other Christians as long as the other party is having fun as well. I don't think we should be joking around with the unsaved for the most part.I also think joking crosses the line into sin when we are motive is more of sarcasim and the other person is having their feelings hurt even if we don't realize it. We need to be sensative to this and be careful.Just some thoughts to ponder.Mike

I don't think the bible teaches that joking is sinful if it is in the right setting. There is a time for everything. If there is no attempt to deceive it would not be a lie. Like anything else, if the intent is to harm or humiliate someone else it would be sinful. If it is not obscene or blasphemous I don't see any harm in it. It is COARSE Jesting that is sinful.New international versionEphesians 5:4; Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.New American Standard BibleEphesians 5:4; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.The Amplified BibleEphesians 5:4; Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].

This made me think about something in proverbs about a type of joke which is sin:Pro 26:17-19 (MKJV)(17) He who passes by enraging himself over strife not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears,(18) or like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death.(19) so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not joking?As I read this, there is a wrong way of being 'funny'. Someone who degenerates others for his own amusement for example. We can make jokes and such, but when they are ment to lift ourselves up among people (and hurt others) it is not Christ like, let alone done in love.This is important for me, as I often make jokes. :-) What deathdancer says, would you be comfortable Jesus listening at it?Does being funny honour God? I think it depends on the time and place you are and what you define as 'funny'. We need Gods definition of things, not our own.This is a good opportunity to review the ('funny') things I've said, the things I've laughed about and more..

We have to ask ourselves what the motives of joking and jesting are 99% of the time. Do we make a joke to help alleviate stress and make others feel more comfortable? This, I think, is a pure motive for using irony and humour. God invented our sense of humour, and just as our appetite for food or our sexual desire can be used in a good way, it can also be used in a very impure way. The impure motive for joking, i think, is this; to bring attention to ourselves. I know that most of the time when I kid around with people I am trying to make them think I am funny, or cool or fun to be around. If I search deep down, I find that this is usually the motive for making a joke. This brings the attention in the room to myself, rather than Jesus. When we make a joke that everyone laughs at, I believe we all feel that sort of 'proud glow' that comes with knowing everyone was laughing at YOUR joke. This is not godly. There are also countless bible passages that exhort us to be "Sober" (titus 2:6). This word has many meanings, but primarily I think of this word to mean "watchful" and "temperate". When we are caught up in foolishness it is hard to be sober and watchful. Again, i see a distinction between a simple humourous statement and a general spirit of foolishness. One, I believe can be used for good, but the other can be an opening for the devil and an indication of where our heart is at. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.Matthew 12:34-36This verse also very clear to me. Joking and fooling around are a clear proof of where our heart is at, and that it is not set on the things of God. Thoughts of the true, living God are always sobering. It is hard to joke around when you are immersed in the Holiness and Love of God.