Blessed Sarcasm

Over the years, and I know it's hard to believe, I was accused of using a bit too much sarcasm in the pulpit. Oh blessed sarcasm—it's one of the preacher's favorite tools. Most I know use it fairly regularly. When I did, I was just following the example of the Apostle Paul, who used sarcasm often. He was a master at it. I was reminded of how good he was at biting sarcasm when I was reading through 1 Corinthians recently. For example note 4:8-13 as Paul hits the church hard as it is more enamored with the wisdom of the world than the wisdom of God. The passage reads in part:

For you are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without me—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!...For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored…

Of course Paul means just the opposite than his words indicate on the surface. He is using sarcasm. They aren't full. They aren't rich spiritually. They aren't wise, and they aren't strong. Instead they are empty, poor, fools, and weak. And that's the point of sarcasm. You mean the opposite of what you say. I doubt very much the Corinthians missed his point. Not many miss sarcasm today.

Sarcasm can be used in a destructive way, but when used rightly, it can challenge listeners to think and hopefully change harmful attitudes and actions. A preacher should not use it to be a smart aleck, but it is a legitimate rhetorical tool. When the wise preacher understands when to pull the trigger, sarcasm can be a helpful sermonic weapon.