THE CASM (Chasm) OF SAR

Greetings all of you sarcastic people...and you know who you are.

I know who you are...because I are one. There are many questions about this Casm (chasm) of Sar. Is it a sin? Should we Christians use it? Was it used by Jesus? Was it used by God? Did Paul, Moses, Isaiah...via God use sarcasm as a tool to drive a spiritual point home. "Give me that old sarcastic spirit...If it was good enough for Paul...then it's good enough for me." Is it okay to hurt someone with sarcasm if the end justifies the means...or would that be meany?

Throughout the Bible...there are may forms of figures of speech utilized to present the truth in a way that we can relate to and understand. Some of the more common figures of speech includes:

1. Metaphor: implied comparison between two things which are different.

2. Simile: expressed comparison of two different things or ideas that uses the words like, as, as, so is, and/or such as.

3. Hyperbole: a deliberate exaggeration for effect or emphasis.

4. Metonymy: when the name of one object or concept is used for that of another to which it is related.

5. Synecdoche: another figure of association where the whole can refer to the part of the part to the whole.

6. Personification: when an object is given characteristics or attributes that belong to people.

7. Irony: a statement which says the opposite of what is meant. Irony is used for emphasis or effect.

NOTE: Sarcasm is a "form of irony" in which apparent praise conceals another, scornful meaning. For example, a sarcastic remark directed at a person who consistently arrives fifteen minutes late for appointments might be, "Oh, you've arrived exactly on time!" (said with sneer on face or in voice). (Dictionary.com)

On top of all of these there are puns, parables, allegory's, types, symbols, satire and sarcasm.

NOTE: Many times there will be an overriding of each of these and could be hard to distinguish the differences.

NOTE: Thanx And A Tip O' Da Hat to notes from The International Inductive Study Bible from Kay Arthur (Precepts Ministries).

I have been known to use satire, puns, and sarcasm on more than one occasion in more than one blog or teaching to get a point across.

SARCASM DEFINED

1. Harsh or bitter derision or irony
2. A sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remarks
3. Latin to rend (flesh), sneer
4. Bitterness, ridicule, jeer

"Sarcasm? Not a fruit of the Spirit." (Joel Osechle)

"Sarcasm is a tool wielded that cover ups our own insecurities while revealing someone elses insecurities." (R.L.B.)

The various tools of the tongue will either heal of destroy but rarely both. Tools or instruments are extensions of the people who wield these things. If you take a sharp scalpel...you have a cold, inanimate object that is very sharp. In the hands of a caring, compassionate servant who has taken the Hippocratic Oath to heal...this extension of the surgeon's hands...the scalpel becomes a tool for cutting, repairing, removing, etc. In the hands of someone like Jack The Ripper...the tool/instrument now becomes an extension of the hands of someone who is bitter, angry, filled with rage...and becomes a tool of destruction and death.

It's all about the motive and attitude of the heart.

"And do not present your members as instruments/weapons of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments or weapons of righteousness of God." (Romans 6:13)

To often...I have fallen into the CHASM of Sar...as I used what I thought was humor to drive a point home...when all the while the sarcastic humor was a cover for my true feelings. I remember once a good brother in the Lord called me on my motive for doing something...and immediately I went into a defensive mode and began wielding my instrument of sarcastic words. It escalated into a near shouting match...in church. The good news is...I tracked him down and asked for forgiveness...he did...and to this day we are still in love.

I was reading an article on sarcasm...and I cannot find the author...but the bullet points were:

1. Sarcasm is a lie and not the language of the Kingdom
2. Sarcasm fosters insecurity
3. Sarcasm interferes with authentic community
4. Sarcasm discourages inquisitiveness
5. Sarcasm interferes with good leadership
6. Sarcasm undermines true humor
7. Sarcasm is the language of bullies

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

I am not saying that satire, humor, wit, puns, irony, etc. can't be used to disarm the listener and allow a point to be driven home...but the attitude of the heart is the motivator. If I have to use humor to put down someone...so I can be lifted up...then I have missed the point.

"Let/don't allow no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth; but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as it is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, (do not offend, or vex, or sadden Him) by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption--of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequence of evil. Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29-32 The Amplified Bible)

Love and Guarded Kisses
Rodney "Bit In The Mouth" Boyd