I witnessed something a few weeks ago that truly bothered me, and at the moment I didn't understand why it bothered me so much, and as a weeks have passed it stayed on my mind, so I decided to study and blog about it. What I witnessed was Sarcasm.
Sarcasm, in and of itself seems like a harmless thing... "jokes" between friends, a slam between siblings, a "funny" remark to a colleague, but as I studied it further I realize why it bothered me, and I pray the insights will if nothing else, inform you or help you to change if you need to as it has helped me.
One principle I have come to learn is this: If we look at others' behaviors, we can learn to see ourselves.
Sarcasm- NOUN in Latin: sarcasmus, Greek: sarkasmos, a bitter laugh, sarkazo, to tear flesh like dogs, to speak bitterly, sarx, sarkos, flesh. A bitter, cutting expression; a caustic remark; a gibe; a taunt; the employment of ironical or satirical language."
Sarcasm definition in the Webster's Dicitionary is this: A Harsh or Bitter Comment.
When I consistently witnessed someone making sarcastic remarks to another, and even laughing after causing an embarrassing situation to happen to the other, I immediately thought to myself, "Why is this person always so sarcastic?" And I truly felt the Lord say: Because of insecurities and hurts.
Sarcasm is a branch that gets it root from Bitterness- and if not dealt with, will eventually defile the person who is sarcastic and ruin relationships.
Sarcasm for the most part can be considered rude, is often mean spirited and almost always done at someone else’s expense.
This is not the testimony we want to have in operation in our lives. We do not want our words to be divisive, hurtful or purposely said to bring harm to others.
Colossians 4:6 says; we are to let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how we ought to answer everyone
The Bible also says a soft answer turns away wrath but harsh words stirs up anger Proverbs 15:1 Sarcasm, is not gracious neither is it soft,
The Latin root of sarcasm is sarco which means tearing of the flesh. Looking further into this we found that sarcasm stemmed from sarcasmos or sarkazein which again means ripping or tearing away of the flesh.
Both sarcasmos and sarkazein were a form of torture used in ancient medieval times.
The torture was done with tools and devices designed to slowly and methodically tear or rip the flesh away from the victim being tortured. A simple rip or tear did not inflict death however repeated ripping would bring about a very deliberate and painful death. WOW!
The bible is clear when it says in Proverbs 12:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
You can also read in Matthew 12:34-37 “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” reading on in 12:33-37 it says: But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned
For those of you who find yourself to be sarcastic, ask yourself why? Why do you feel the need to make sharp remarks, and embarrassing comments to and about others?
A sharp tongue has no place among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) It does not express love, spread joy or promote peace. It shows no patience, kindness or goodness in its words. It betrays faithfulness and gentleness, and most of all, it shows no measure of self-control.
Are we teasing and boasting to another's pleasure or his discomfort? Is it true and factual? If it is not, it is a lie, and no matter how funny it is, it is SIN Sarcasm belongs in the same category: If it is not true, it is a lie. Even if it is true, how are we expressing it?
Naturally speaking: The only reason a person would need to make someone else look small is because they feel small within themselves. Sarcasm becomes a defense mechanism as well as a coping mechanism for their own personal insecurities and hurts. God is NOT in sarcasm. God says be slow to speak. Sarcastic people are quick to speak and the words they speak are not encouraging or uplifting. They're demeaning and belittling.
Most often "after " they have spoken a sarcastic remark about someone they will cover it with the infamous words: "I was just joking"
I pray that if you find yourself being sarcastic towards people or even certain individuals that you will allow God to heal the hurts, and cut off the root of bitterness. That you will find your self worth and assurance in Him. That you will use your words to speak life and not death. And I pray always that we will all, as Christ's followers live out the words of Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Blessings and Favor,
Alisa
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