COMEDY IN CHURCH: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT JOKES?

It seems that the days when church services and programs were organized for spiritual edification of believers in some churches are gone. These days it seems to take more than music, prayers and sermon to get Christians excited about going to church. Stand-up comedy has been added in a bid to, informally, entertain the congregants before they are ministered to.

It is getting harder not to be concerned by some of the jokes comedians crack about sacred topics, biblical heroes and ministers of the gospel from the pulpits during events that are supposed to be a period for sober reflection and divine encounter. 

What does the bible say about these things?

Ephesians 5:4 (AMP): Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].

Ephesians 4:29 (AMP) instructs, "Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]." 

Matthew 12:36 (AMP): But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.

Apart from the above passages, the Bible equally has plenty to say about our speech. One of them is Proverbs 18:21 which says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Someone has argued that even the Bible lauds the power of laughter. For instance: 

Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." 

Psalm 126:1-3, "When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.' The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad." 

These passages depict God as the giver of laughter. God is also known to have a sense of humor. However, the question is, "the laughter He approves is it from jokes/ silly talks, or from joy in the Holy Ghost"? It is worthy of note that there are plenty of things we might find funny but are not pleasing to God. More so, there are ways we are expected to conduct ourselves in the house of God and jesting should not be part of it if we are to do the word as stated in Ephesians 5:4.

1 Timothy 3:15(AMP): "in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The growing attempt by churches to engender a system that attracts and entertains people is happening at a time when the world needs the church to step up with the message of healing, grace, mercy, reconciliation and love all over the world. The church should exercise great care and not allow the yearning to be a mega church make the Word of God of "none effect".