Well, Since We're All Christians...Let Me Tell You This Joke

“Well, since we’re all Christians, let me tell you this joke.”

That was how my friend started his filthy joke. I guess because we were all Christians, he thought he wouldn’t ruin his reputation. He felt justified telling his brothers in Christ something he would never share with non-Christian friends.

But this choice damaged his reputation among our small group. It showed that he enjoyed crude humor, but only felt safe sharing it with other Christians. His concern was with outward appearances, not a genuine dedication to holiness.

Fortunately, the oldest member of the group spoke up with a much-needed correction:

“Well, I am a Christian and I don’t appreciate that type of humor.”

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True Gentlemen and Holy Speech

This situation reminds me of a story about a man in a group who said:

“Since there are no ladies present, let me tell you a joke.”

Quickly, another man stood up and replied:

“There may be no ladies present, but there is at least one gentleman. I’ll ask you to wait until I leave before telling your joke.”

If you think crude humor is not a serious issue, or that God does not care, consider the words of Ephesians 5:4:

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness (greed) must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. — Ephesians 5:3-4 (ESV)

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Christians Must Be Christians Among Christians

We should not use our time together to let our guard down. Instead, we should build each other up. Every act of holiness, meekness (gentleness), love, and kindness should be amplified when Christians are together.

It is incredibly disappointing to hear of Christians treating their brethren with contempt, unkindness, or apathy (lack of concern). We face enough negativity in the world. The company of believers should be a safe harbor for rest and encouragement.

Yet, we sometimes let petty behavior slide, as if our shared bond gives us a license to treat each other poorly. We forget that we are one body under Christ. We are commanded to work in unity and love:

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. — Galatians 5:14-15

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Christians in the Family

We see this same pattern in families. Where there should be love and edification (building up), we often find animosity (hostility) and neglect.

Some people act as if being family means they can treat each other however they want. Instead of building bonds through mutual respect, they tear each other down. In both the physical family and the family of Christ, this should never happen.

If Christ commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, we have no closer neighbors than our spouses, parents, and siblings. There is a wonderful quote that describes how a Christian home should be:

The household of a Christian should be such that even the dog feels blessed to be in it.

Let us shine as lights in a dark world. We must demonstrate the holiness of Christ in our daily lives so that all will know we are Christians—especially when we are among our brothers and sisters in Christ.