How
many times have we seen someone steal something small from someone else, then
get caught and laugh, and say it was just a joke? How many times have we heard someone say
something that was not true, gossip or spread rumours or a lie, and then laugh
when the other person fell for the deception?
It was only a joke right?
As
a young man, I remember the other boys would sneak up and hit someone from
behind and laugh, and those same boys would get angry when the victim of their
“joke” would defend. I remember the
young women who would say terrible insults about another young woman, and then
would get angry and say worse things when their victim cried at their “joke.”
I
remember it got even worse, when the young women or young men would “joke”
around with sexual touching against those who did not consent to be touched,
and when taken to the authorities, the perpetrators would just claim it to be a
“joke.”
As
a case worker for the prison system, there were lots of people doing the same
thing in prison, where beating people was just a “joke.” Molesting and raping people was just a “joke.” Where do we draw the line? After all, it is the exact same principle of
using evil as a joke, just different degrees of it. No matter the degree, it is still all on the
side of evil.
Are
these wicked things really a joke, or are they just another form of evil? And if these perpetrators are really, “not
all that bad,” then why do they have to use evil to joke? Why the bullying and manipulation? It is quite obvious; they are just evil.
Next
comes the “You can’t judge me” line. Of
course this is only a one-way line, since the perpetrators are judging their
victims, and extending out a measurement against their victims. This is of course hypocritical, but nevertheless,
a strategy of the wicked.
And
let us not forget about the “I have repented” excuse. Well, if you have repented, you would have
stopped the sin, would you not? After
all, the scripture says, “he will confess it and forsake it.” If you have not went to the folks involved
and confessed, and forsook the crime, then you have not repented. If you have not left your gift at the altar,
and first been reconciled with the person who you have “joked”, then you have
not repented according to the teachings in the scriptures.
All
this aside, perhaps there is something in the fact that some people are so
wicked that they use wickedness for jokes, and cannot seem to find enjoyment in
righteousness!
Heavenly
Father does not use evil to “joke” with others.
The angels in heaven do not prank people with evil. Those who use evil as a joke will not find
acceptance in heaven either.
The better
option is to get rid of all evil, to stop finding joy in evil jokes and evil behaviour, and find joy in goodness. Emulate the Saviour, and find joy in doing good to others!
