"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Two years ago, I told the Pastoral staff that I wouldn’t be standing for election in 2008 because I would like to go back to the mission field or somewhere to finish the last lap of my ministry. My family and I began to pray fervently for the Lord’s direction.

In July I received an email from Pastor Isaac inviting me to Vancouver Bible-Presbyterian Church to minister to the people. I shared it with my family in our family devotion. We sought the Lord’s mind. I wrote to Isaac telling him that I am open to the invitation. When he came back to Singapore in late July for a short holiday, we met for lunch fellowship. He told me that he will be coming back to Singapore again in late December for three months and he would like me to take care of the church for him, and at the same time to seek the Lord’s mind with regard to my future ministry.

God willing, Phoebe and I will be leaving for Vancouver on 21 December 2007 for three months. We shall come back on 1 April 2008. By then, I should know the Lord’s direction for my life and ministry.

Please remember to uphold me and my family in fervent prayer. We desire God’s will to be done in our lives. May His Name be honoured and glorified! Amen.

His unworthy servant,

Colin Wong TC

Shortly after their quarrel, John’s mother came to talk to him. "Can I ask you a question?" she asked.

"I don’t know, can you?" was the sharp retort.

Suppressing the anger, she asked him again, "May I ask you a question?"

Coming back at her was a most infuriating reply – "You just did!"

We’ve all experienced sarcasm, especially being the butt of it. The questions we’ve asked may have been replied to in such a manner as to make us feel foolish, as if the answer was so blatantly obvious. And we’ve all experienced sarcasm, especially being the originator of it. We’ve been asked silly questions that have such obvious answers that we answer in such a manner as to show our displeasure. This kind of retaliation often emerges when we’re under pressure or irritated.

Although we realize that our words can hurt others, we don’t always care – that’s because insensitivity and discourtesy are accepted in the world. It doesn’t help that we are already sinful and love to fight for supremacy. And due to these reasons, it’s no wonder that sarcasm flourished. We all use sarcasm to get our points across; it happens between spouses, between parents and children, between friends, at church, and in the world.

What is sarcasm? Webster defines sarcasm as "a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain; a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual."

The word finds its origins in two Greek words which together mean "to cut the flesh," and that’s exactly what occurs when sarcasm is employed – victims of sarcasm are cut by the words of the user. Sometimes sarcasm is employed harshly, and at other times, it’s done with humor. But no matter at what times, the result is that a person has been cut.

Does the Bible specifically mention sarcasm? Absolutely. Ephesians 5:4 reads, "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." These things – filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting along with the sins listed in verse 3, such as fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, are not to be named in Christians.

The word translated here "jesting" is from the Greek word which means "witticism." In other words, saying things you don’t really mean! It’s a compound word that means "well-turned." When you hear someone who’s witty, he can make puns on words – he takes a word and he spins it. He turns it into something it’s not. And that’s what sarcasm does.

But is this an acceptable mode of communication for the Christian? Can one who calls himself a believer be a constant user of sarcasm? There’s evidence that such a speech pattern is reprehensible.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:17, "When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?"

Paul never used "lightness," whose Greek equivalent refers to fickleness or flippancy. This means that Paul’s pattern of speech wasn’t flippant, that he was truthful and sober in what he said. The context of this sentence by Paul was about Gospel preaching. In other words, as the Gospel is a serious subject, those who have come under its power should never be varying in their speech.

This is the very essence of God himself – who doesn’t vary in his speech. 2 Corinthians 1:18 says, "But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay." Paul was making a very bold assertion here. He was saying that in the way that God is faithful, Paul himself was faithful in his speech.

James 1:17 tells us that there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning in the Father of lights; this is how God is true. And if we are to be true as God is true, our speech patterns are to follow. We should say what we mean. If sarcasm is a twisted and flippant remark intended to cut others; the Word makes it clear that that this mode of speaking is unedifying. And because of its nature, sarcasm is often employed in anger. We use it to lash out at others.

And so as Christians, we should not employ our tongue in this manner. We should, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:4, use our tongue for the giving of thanks. If we have the attitude of thanksgiving towards God, it would be very hard to utter things sarcastic. That’s why James 3:11 asks, "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?"

The key to controlling the tongue is in the heart. In his discourse on the tongue, James is not calling for more will-power and determination as a means of control. If the tongue is set ablaze by hell, then only heaven can help us. And God has provided us with this help. He has given those who have placed their trust in Him a new heart. We are to be keepers of the heart, so that the thoughts of our heart are on Him who died for us. As our hearts are filled with Him, with His Word, with His salvation and grace, then our lips will reveal the overflow of our hearts. That’s why we are to "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee" (Proverbs 4:23-24). The word "forward" means twisted, or turned.

Sarcasm can be forward and thus, hurtful; this breaks the sixth commandment. Whether done in private or in public, it can humiliate the victim of sarcasm. But Scripture has much to say about the words we use. Philippians 2:3 tells us – "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." Do our words and actions help and encourage others? Do they build them up or tear them down?

Now, we all occasionally make remarks which are sarcastic, but without intending to hurt others. Witticism per se, or being witty, is not wrong. Witty statements can lighten tense moments or bring a smile to a sad person’s face, when the true intent is realized.

And although it’s not wrong to look at things from the lighter side, our motives are important. But not only are our motives important, but also wisdom. We must be wise in applying tact, and although our comment can lighten a tense situation, and although our intentions may be good, it may not always pan out the way we intended it. We need to know when not to say something. "A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment" (Ecclesiastes 8:5).

And so important is this advice, even a foolish person is considered wise when he heeds it. Proverbs 17:28 says, "Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."

Sarcasm can also be used effectively for illustration. The Apostle Paul used it, particularly in one point of his ministry. The Corinthians had started to despise the apostles, and treated them badly. This was a result of their pride. He had told them plainly before. But he used a smart irony, in 1 Corinthians 4:10 to press upon them the duty of humility, when he said, "We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised."

And so, sarcasm is not always wrong. However, it should not be the normal pattern of speech for the Christian. And the one who employs it must examine his motives and to consider the wisdom of employing it. This is because if sarcasm is wrongly employed, it can have devastating results.

Consider the end of this fool who used sarcasm at the wrong time: "Kondraty Ryleyev was sentenced to be hanged for his part in an unsuccessful uprising against the Russian czar Nicholas I in December 1825. But the rope broke and Ryleyev, bruised and battered, fell to the ground, got up, and said, "In Russia they do not know how to do anything properly, not even how to make a rope." An accident of this sort usually resulted in a pardon, so a messenger was sent to the czar to know his pleasure. Nicholas asked, "What did he say?" "Sire, he said that in Russia they do not even know how to make a rope properly." "Well, let the contrary be proved," said the czar." (Source: Today in the Word. March 13, 1993)

We may not die as a result of our sarcasm, but many probably may wish we weren’t alive. That’s because even though we are saints, if we don’t conquer sarcasm, we can be the very bane of the church. Consider the end of this poor saint in this story: "On a windswept hill in a New England country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The quaint stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely. The faint etchings read:

"Here lies as silent clay,
Miss Arabella Young,
Who on the twenty-fourth of May,
began to hold her tongue."

So if we have a miasm to sarcasm, let’s remember that a well-turned, flippant, cutting remark is not a mark of graciousness or wisdom. But let the tongue be employed for better things. —MC