Irony

Irony is the nice ‘proper english’ word for sarcasm. The saying that ‘sarcasm is the lowest form of wit’ is very true in my eyes, and possibly more so because I live in a culture where sarcasm is seen as funny, witty, and a great laugh. For whom, I wonder? The person being put down, or the person with the sharp tongue? Just asking.

I was on a work course once where the purpose was to emphasise the benefits of being positive, and not using any put down or sarcastic talk in our work and home environments. We were given an assignment for that night at home, and to report back the results next day. The assignment was to compliment your wife on her looks, cooking, and being a good mum. Easy? Not at all. The guys complained that this just wasn’t the way they were, and their wives knew that. They would think something was wrong if their husbands started to dish out compliments, but most agreed to complete the task and report back next day anyway. Coming from the West of Scotland, they all had a sarcastic streak, and readily admitted it.

Guess what? The wives (as reported) were delighted, and thankful for the kind words. They didn’t like the sarcasm, but saw it as ‘just the way it was’ and put up with it. The guys thought they were being funny, after all there would be a ripple of laughter when a barbed, sarcastic comment would be made at one of their mates, or at least a smile from their wife. That must make it ok, right? No! How wrong that was!

What does the Bible say about our talk as Christians? How should we treat our friends, and especially our spouses? How about these for a starter, and how do we, (me included) stack up to these commands? I think it is worth giving some good, encouraging talk a chance instead of mean words, because sarcasm is not funny. Take my word for it, or better still take the word of the Apostle Paul:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8 NIV

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