As much as anyone, I like to joke around with my friends and family. Some are better targets of playful teasing than others. Once an easy mark, my wife has become wise to my ways and, unless I catch her off guard, is much quicker to suspect mischief behind my words. “Are you serious?” is a favorite question asked to check the direction of my remarks. “Be serious!” can mean, “It’s time to straighten up and fly right.”
Some matters require serious thought and careful consideration. When asked about his most profound thought, Daniel Webster said it had to do with his individual responsibility before God. King Solomon would certainly agree, saying, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Eccl. 12:13–14). While Paul was in prison at Caesarea, Felix, the governor, sent for him and, as Paul spoke of faith in Christ, he “was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.” The seriousness of Paul’s message caused Felix to become so frightened that he sent him away until a more opportune time (Acts 24:24-25).
While there are times when humor can be an effective tool in presenting the gospel, the pulpit is not a suitable stage for a comedic performance. If a sermon is measured by the laughs generated or number of stories told, then hearers have grown dull of hearing and seek only to be entertained (2 Tim. 4:2-3 cf. Eze. 33:30-33).
As described in the Bible, a sober-minded person is one who is serious and sensible as it relates to matters impacting our relationship with God and our eternal well-being. In the New Testament, it frequently describes our anticipation of and preparation for Christ’s second coming (1 Pet. 1:13). Of the approximately 3,300 questions asked in the Bible, few are as serious as Pilate’s question to the Jews. After they had chosen the release of Barabbas, Pilate asked, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They shouted, “Crucify Him!” (Mt. 27:22). Seriously? Yes. “You’ve got to be kidding!” No, these are “words of sober truth” (Acts 26:25).
–Glen Elliott–