The Bible warns Christians against engaging in coarse jesting, dirty jokes, foolish talk, and crude joking. Scripture calls believers to speech that is gracious, wise, and pleasing to God. Though humor itself is not condemned, Christians must be discerning regarding the content and aim of their jokes and laughter.
Definitions of Coarse Jesting and Crude Joking
Coarse jesting refers to vulgar humor and dirty jokes containing sexual innuendo, profanity, or offensive content. It includes joking about immoral acts or telling stories that evoke laughter through crass and crude subject matter. Crude joking similarly indicates lowbrow, offensive, and ribald humor focused on eliciting laughs through tawdry content.
Biblical Warnings Against Coarse Jesting
The Bible contains several warnings against engaging in coarse jesting and crude joking:
Ephesians 5:4 – “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
This verse instructs believers to avoid obscene, silly, and vulgar talk. Rather than jokes focused on immorality, Christians are called to give thanks to God.
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident…drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In this passage, foolish talk is associated with sinful sensuality. Engaging in coarse joking can reflect impure hearts and minds.
Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Paul exhorts believers to avoid unwholesome speech and instead speak in a way that builds up others. Crude jokes often tear down rather than edify.
Colossians 3:8 – “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
Here, vulgar and offensive speech is listed alongside other sins that Christians must seek to eliminate from their lives.
Principles for Godly Speech
Though Scripture warns against coarse jesting, it does not condemn humor itself. However, for humor to be pleasing to God, Christians should follow certain principles:
Be Discerning
Philippians 1:9-10 – “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
Believers must exercise discernment regarding whether jokes are wholesome and beneficial or immoral and degrading.
Avoid Offending Others
1 Corinthians 10:32-33 – “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
Christians should be sensitive in their humor lest they lead others to stumble. Off-color jokes may alienate nonbelievers from the gospel.
Use Speech to Build Up
Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Rather than tear down through raunchy humor, believers’ jokes should aim to build up others.
Focus on Positive Subjects
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Christians should dwell on positive subjects rather than immorality. Jokes centered on purity and truth honor God.
Avoid Fellowship with Those Who Promote Crudeness
Psalm 1:1 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.”
Believers should avoid those who normalize vulgar humor, as their influence can be corrupting.
Purposes and Dangers of Crude Humor
Understanding the purposes and dangers of crude joking can help Christians avoid it:
Purposes of Crude Humor
- Shock value – Vulgarity used for shock appeal
- Human approval – Relies on something baser in humanity for laughs
- Power – Demeans others; assert dominance through crudeness
- Escape – Avoid dealing with painful realities of life
Dangers of Crude Humor
- Devalues human dignity – People become objects; encourages disrespect
- Pollutes the mind – Desensitizes conscience and disciplines imagination towards impurity
- Damages reputations – Associating with crass humor gives impression of low character
- Erodes intimacy – Replaces true knowledge of a person with surface-level laughs
Other Problems With Crude Joking
Beyond the biblical warnings, crude humor can cause additional issues:
Fosters Prejudice
Jokes often derive humor from racist, sexist, or otherwise prejudiced premises. This can reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Promotes False Ideas
Basing jokes on untruths can promote false assumptions about people and the world.
Creates Distance in Relationships
Reliance on vulgarity over true intimacy can inhibit depth and trust in relationships.
Harms Witness
For Christians, coarse joking hinders living as salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Accountability for Speech
Though believers have freedom in Christ, their words have consequences:
Words Flow From the Heart
Luke 6:45 – “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Crass speech reveals corruption in the inner person. Christians must nurture pure hearts.
Careless Words Are Noted
Matthew 12:36-37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Believers will answer to God for sinful speech. Coarse talk cannot be lightly dismissed.
Words Impact Others
Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Vulgar jokes influence listeners for good or ill. Christians must consider whether their humor spreads life or death.
How to Respond to Improper Humor
When confronted with coarse jesting, Christians can respond appropriately:
Prayerfully Assess
Seek God’s wisdom in discerning the motives and effects of crude humor. Avoid knee-jerk reactions.
Set Clear Boundaries
Respectfully decline to participate in mean-spirited or immoral joking. State your stance with grace.
Redirect the Conversation
Lovingly guide discussion towards uplifting speech. Model godliness in your own comments.
Confront in Love
Privately appeal to those engaged in crass humor. Help them understand your concerns and biblical perspective.
Limit Exposure
When coarse talk persists unrepentantly, limit contact for your own protection. Pray for change.
Cultivating Godly Humor and Speech
Rather than coarse jesting, Christians should pursue humor that aligns with biblical values:
Focus on What is Pure
Laugh together at what is noble, lovely, admirable, and excellent (Philippians 4:8).
Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
James 1:19 reminds believers to be slow to speak rashly. Think before joking.
Season Speech With Salt
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech be gracious and avoid insensitive remarks.
Aim to Build Others Up
Make humor a tool for encouragement rather than belittling others.
Pray for Discernment
Seek God’s guidance to distinguish between harmless and inappropriate joking.
Conclusion
The Bible warns Christians against coarse jesting, crude humor, foolish talk, and vulgarity. Believers must be discerning regarding jokes and laughter, ensuring their speech does not dishonor God or damage others. With prayerful wisdom, Christians can pursue humor that spreads joy and builds up rather than degrades. Above all, believers must guard their tongues and nurture purity in their hearts. By God’s grace, Christians can exemplify wholesome speech that gives grace to those who hear.