We have issues with talking about people behind their backs, to their faces, or to anyone who might listen. I'm not sure if anyone is ever truly exempt from this- it seems like human nature. It could be because we feel better putting someone else down- making it so that you don't look so bad in comparison, It could be because its just something to laugh about- a good joke at someone else's expense, It could be because of revenge- making a comeback because that person hurt you in the same way, or it could just be because of boredom- choosing to wound someone with your words just because every board game has been played or the electricity has gone out.
I know that many times this sort of thing is never intentional- never meant to hurt feelings and probably just done because its what is considered normal.
Remember though that insulting the creation is insulting the creator. God said that he made man and woman in his own image- when you look in the mirror you don't say that its a reflection of the mirror- but a reflection of you. In the same way- when you make fun of someone you are doing the same to Christ who sacrificed himself on the cross for you.
(Matthew 5:22) -
"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."Fool- any sort of insult you say about someone else- can condemn you into hell. If someone throws a bomb into a building- killing 10 people but laughing all the while and enjoying himself- is it not a sin? Has he not just murdered 10 men and wounded so many others?
Just because making fun of others may be enjoyable and even though a joke at someone else's expense may be hilarious- you are still call them a fool- making fun of something that God put so much effort and love into.
I'm guilty of this too- calling people out for no reason or laughing about them with others but after mulling all of this over and seen hearts torn because of it- it really is just one step to something worse than anyone intended. Hail may look like rainfall from one angle but up close it can do a lot of damage.
James 3:10
10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.Another issue with making fun of others is making fun of our elders. In every country but America those elder to you are always revered- always set up on a pedestal- but here we laugh at them behind their backs- repeat their words and phrases while rolling on the floor clutching our stomachs. Respect. Morals. I mean it is funny- but not everything that makes us laugh should always be repeated out loud.
So to wound things up tightly I'll end with words from James that sum up what I've been trying to convey to all of you
James 3: 1- 12
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
God Bless.
