Confused about Ephesians 5

[cyclone_105]

Recently i came across Ephesians 5:4, which says no coarse joking. I know that some of the verses before this one talk about sexual immorality. With that said, I do not think it is cool to be going up to women and making sexually charged jokes.

On the other hand, I have a dark sense of humor and I enjoy jokes that arent always appropriate at the dinner table; including jokes that can be considered tasteless, scatological jokes, sex related jokes and body part humor (I personally think of a lot of sex related humor and scatological humor as body part humor) with friends. We also like joking about stereotypes. It is worth noting that My friends and i are very hard to offend.

With that said, we are very considerate and well liked in our school community. We dont joke about certain things when there are others around who may be bothered by it. We only do so in our close circle. We never use humor to put others down in order to make ourselves feel good.

So, is it wrong to joke like this when the jokes are ill-timed or are they wrong all the time? I cant imagine them being wrong for everyone all the time, that seems very limiting. I personally feel that one doesnt have to like jokes of certain subject matter if said jokes are not their cup of tea.

Just wanna get some input on this, thanks!

 

[Basil the Great]

It seems like a majority of jokes have sexual overtones, most probably not in accord with a Christian perspective. I am a poor one to give advice though, for I have always tended to be too serious and not a very humorous person.

 

[RDKirk]

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. -- Romans 12

If your speech makes other people uncomfortable and otherwise has no moral virtue, then it's incompatible with Christ.

 

[Winken]

I recall doing that at your age. I'm Spiritually informed that it is something that I should not have engaged in.

 

[iwbswiaihl2]

Looking at the text you were reading from, what does it say even in the verse you mentioned? Ephesians 5:1-13 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Now for your sake, would you talk like that with Jesus at the table and not feel ashamed? You know, He is at the table!

 

[Doug Melven]

I am one to believe we should be more eternity minded.
We have only a short time here on Earth, we should be using it to build each other up.
When I am around other believers who are engaged in this foolish talking and coarse jesting I am grieved.
There is a place for humor. Good clean humor. A merry heart does good like medicine.
Jokes don't have to be off-color to be funny.

 

[Arthur B Via]

Recently i came across Ephesians 5:4, which says no coarse joking. I know that some of the verses before this one talk about sexual immorality. With that said, I do not think it is cool to be going up to women and making sexually charged jokes.

On the other hand, I have a dark sense of humor and I enjoy jokes that arent always appropriate at the dinner table; including jokes that can be considered tasteless, scatological jokes, sex related jokes and body part humor (I personally think of a lot of sex related humor and scatological humor as body part humor) with friends. We also like joking about stereotypes. It is worth noting that My friends and i are very hard to offend.

With that said, we are very considerate and well liked in our school community. We dont joke about certain things when there are others around who may be bothered by it. We only do so in our close circle. We never use humor to put others down in order to make ourselves feel good.

So, is it wrong to joke like this when the jokes are ill-timed or are they wrong all the time? I cant imagine them being wrong for everyone all the time, that seems very limiting. I personally feel that one doesnt have to like jokes of certain subject matter if said jokes are not their cup of tea.

Just wanna get some input on this, thanks!

" A cheerful heart is like a good medicine ". Joking and making others laugh has been one of my greatest pleasures in life and unfortunately many of the funniest jokes are sexual in nature. That's just the TRUTH but as one matures in Christ the Holy Spirit convicts us more and more until we can no longer submit to such filth and we find more appropriate things to joke about. Pray without ceasing, read God's Word daily and enjoy your salvation...☺

 

[Sola1517]

Recently i came across Ephesians 5:4, which says no coarse joking. I know that some of the verses before this one talk about sexual immorality. With that said, I do not think it is cool to be going up to women and making sexually charged jokes.

On the other hand, I have a dark sense of humor and I enjoy jokes that arent always appropriate at the dinner table; including jokes that can be considered tasteless, scatological jokes, sex related jokes and body part humor (I personally think of a lot of sex related humor and scatological humor as body part humor) with friends. We also like joking about stereotypes. It is worth noting that My friends and i are very hard to offend.

With that said, we are very considerate and well liked in our school community. We dont joke about certain things when there are others around who may be bothered by it. We only do so in our close circle. We never use humor to put others down in order to make ourselves feel good.

So, is it wrong to joke like this when the jokes are ill-timed or are they wrong all the time? I cant imagine them being wrong for everyone all the time, that seems very limiting. I personally feel that one doesnt have to like jokes of certain subject matter if said jokes are not their cup of tea.

Just wanna get some input on this, thanks!

It all depends upon the spirit in which those jokes are told. Telling jokes to make people feel like crap is an un-biblical and un-spiritual way of practicing humor. I don't think Jesus ever said anything mean to just be mean, his heart behind everything was that everyone would repent. So, if it's true, it's funny, and it causes people to repent, then sure. Jesus could've told a nasty joke and condemned when the woman was caught in adultery, instead he saw her for what she was worth as an image bearer, he gave her the opportunity to change. Some nasty jokes are better than others, as long as they aren't meant to hurt anybody.

 

[iwbswiaihl2]

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. What grace is imparted by trash talking?

 

[God bless Joshua]

Paul advised us not to make jokes not because clean joke is totally sinfull but because some people are too sensitive and get insulted without you being aware of it.

 

[longwait]

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. Ephesians 4:29

Out of the abundance of your heart your mouth speaks. Luke 6:45
People will judge you based on what you speak. Better is to maintain silence.

 

[jlamb1]

Any kind of joking in my opinion almost always has a bad outcome

 

[jlamb1]

Any kind of joking in my opinion almost always has a bad outcome.

 

[Radagast]

Recently i came across Ephesians 5:4, which says no coarse joking.

The verse is quite clear: coarse jokes are indeed always wrong, for everybody, all the time.

Coarse joking builds bad attitudes (to women, to sex, etc.), thus leading to sin, and it draws attention away from God and things that are holy.

Put it this way: Jesus is always in the room. Don't tell a joke that you wouldn't tell to Jesus.

With that said, we are very considerate and well liked in our school community.

That makes no difference.

 

[RDKirk]

Paul advised us not to make jokes not because clean joke is totally sinfull but because some people are too sensitive and get insulted without you being aware of it.

In context, Paul wasn't even talking about clean jokes--he was specifically talking about dirty jokes.

 

[RDKirk]

Any kind of joking in my opinion almost always has a bad outcome.

God joked with Abraham and Sarah. In fact, scripture hammers the fact that He was joking with them, repeating "laughter" through the entire passage. It's just that God's idea of humor is different from ours. God thinks giving an unexpected gift is having a good time.

 

[cyclone_105]

I do not find that the joking my friends and i do are leading me to sin nor do I find it to be sexually titillating (others may, and if so, i believe that is an issue, but I do not).

Do i know that it is wrong to be sexually immoral? YES!! My church held a men's ministry focused on sexual purity 2 years ago and it has stuck with me since. (I was never sexually immoral even before than but i saw it as good life lessons).

Like i said before i do think it is wrong to be telling sexually charged jokes to women and to joke with the intent of sexual titillation. My friends and I simply joke for laughs and good times together.

Everybody has different sensitivity levels. I believe that if joking about certain subject matters is not one's cup of tea, they dont have to do it.

 

[Radagast]

I do not find that the joking my friends and i do are leading me to sin nor do I find it to be sexually titillating (others may, and if so, i believe that is an issue, but I do not).

If your mind is made up, why did you ask?