Laughter is common to all of us. Some laugh more than others, but why do we laugh? Sometimes we laugh because we think something is honestly funny, but other times, we laugh to express sarcasm. When we are being sarcastic, we are mocking whomever we are laughing at.
Today, I watched a television show in which the defendant owed the plaintiff some money that was overdue involving a used vehicle. The defendant produced some false documents and a ‘fake’ husband at the trial. When the supposed husband was questioned, it came to light that he wasn’t the husband at all. So how did they know each other? Apparently, they belonged to the same Bible study group, and he was trying to help her with her problem! I don’t have to tell you the reaction from the judges and the viewers in the courtroom. There was uncontrollable laughter!
I felt sad, ashamed, and hurt. Why did these two do that? The laughter and comments made by the judges indicated they were certain the defendants were Christians behaving badly. The man apologized, saying he was sorry he had done that. His response brought more laughter. One could argue that these defendants were probably not Christians, and that’s possible. But you can be certain of that argument only if Christians are perfect and are never in the wrong. It is likely that they are Christians, as they claimed, but we can’t judge them, because the Scripture says: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7). So, I can’t judge them, and neither can you.
I bring this issue up to remind us that our behavior matters. When Jesus warned the disciples about false prophets, He said: “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit … A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18). Likewise, a Christian behaving badly raises questions about whether or not he is a Christian.
Our sins reach much further than we realize. Our bad behaviors affect God’s reputation: “You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, ‘The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you’” (Romans 2:24).
Our bad behavior in the Church becomes a stumbling block to other members of the body: “Live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall” (Romans 14:13).
Our bad behavior affects unbelievers as well. We are called to be light to the world, pointing them to the Lord. Failing to do so turns unbelievers away from God. They come up with labels for Christians, like a hypocrite, and say things like, “If that’s Christianity, I don’t want any part of it.” We are commanded: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). As I shared before, the defendants’ situation brought laughter into the courtroom. I’m sure this behavior could affect the fake couple’s testimony, and those who witnessed that trial could have a difficult time taking Christians seriously, especially those who might try to witness to them. What a shame!
Let’s try not to be a laughingstock; the world is waiting to blaspheme the name of the Lord, and to have a good laugh at our expense!
Quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).
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