Is there humor in heaven?

I have thought over this for a while. I do not think there are any passages in the Scripture's where a joke is told. I know there is a chance that it can still be viable without being in the Bible. There is laughter but that is always connected to joy in the Lord. The only other time I see laughter in the Bible is mentioning how fools are mocked or God laughing at His enemies. I have tried to think over jokes that are told and it seems that all in one way or another are either coarse in a strongly negative sense or they are just silly and I am not sure that when we step into the Kingdom of God if we will be silly or even think of silly things. I could be wrong though and I am not making an emphatic claim I would just like to hear what others have to say. I could be wrong in that I missed something in Scripture, there are jokes that aren't based on foolishness or silliness, or there will be silliness in the Millenial Kingdom and so forth. The last thing I mentioned about the Millenial Kingdom is I think somewhat foreseeable to me. I mean we could be silly. We will be on the earth and were not just going to float around in heaven like these mindless spirits. We could act like clowns or something for fun? I don't know though. Lastly, that also brings up a point that we should have more joy I think in the Lord even to laughter and an overflowing cup.

Hmm. Yeah. Thanks for the comments. I didn't mean silly in that extreme sense but in a playful like a clown for children. But I can see that even that is not useful and sober. I do however think that the Lord unless specifically called otherwise allows us to have time for recreation. So, what I am saying is I don't think being sober would solely x it out in the sense of usefulness. But, I do think I agree with you about the use of laughter in scripture. So that would seem to x out jokes altogether at least in that sense?

I believe the Lord laughed at times with His disciples while He walked the earth; and that He smiled and chuckled during conversations at supper time. He couldn't have kept 12 men by his side for 3 years without engaging in good natured humor every now and then. Being Deity, He may have been able to do without it, but worldly guys like Peter and Andrew and James and the rest probably couldn't - nor would God expect them to. The most important thing we know was that Jesus knew when to be serious (and so should we) when presenting the gospel and warning about the consequences of eternity. He was deadly serious then. Literally.

As far as humor in Heaven - I know there'll be joy unexpressable there. Is humor found in joy? I don't know. Perhaps the bliss of transcending time in our glorified bodies will absolutely trump any kind of laugher that can can be identified as earthly. In fact, if you think about it, the fact that one can laugh at humor signifies that there may be times where humor is absent and one doesn't laugh. What will the prevailing emotion be during those times? I am of the persuasion that there will be no emotions in heaven, because emotions are soulish and fickle and circumstantial, but joy and love are not emotions: they are of a higher realm.

(edit) I remember something I once heard Zac Poonen say, and I think it may apply to this thread. A little boy once came to him and said that he was laughing and playing catch with Jesus in a dream the other night. Zac said that he believed the truth of that dream being from the Lord over all the others he hears from self-styled prophets speaking from the pulpits and on TV.

Paul,

I agree that we are allowed recreation in moderation. And yes there are different times. As for not having emotions I am not so sure about that in the fullest sense. I know we will have glorified bodies but they will have some similarities. I mean we will come back to the earth and that will be similar or else why would God create a new one and not just create something called something else. We will eat and I think that we will enjoy that and that is soulish in the sense of having senses. I do not believe that our bodies in themselves are sinful it is just the sin mixed and the corruption because Adam had the same body while he was not sinning. I am not trying to go to the extreme though where we will be on a roller coaster ride and other negative aspects of emotions. I believe emotions are good but are used wrongly.

Some Christians better hope there is laughter in Heaven or they may never get a chance to laugh or smile. I have seen some Christians that it could be the first time they laugh or smile will be in Heaven. By the way we only know about Jesus and his humor by whats in the Word and the word does not cover his whole existence while here, but my guess is that he laughed or smiled many,many times and is probably up in Heaven right now wondering why there are so many sad sacks down here on earth. :-P

Ben,

"clowns" thats interesting. Yeah I think you are right. So many jokes though they seem innocent have an underlining negative thing to them. One can say that they dont mean any harm but the truth is they are laughing at something wrong and because it is wrong this is what makes there sinful nature take pleasure in it. For instance one can allow oneself to be mocked as you said and say well your not actually laughing at me your laughing at the concept that I am dumb or something. But, why should we laugh at someone who is disabled or something are we laughing at their folly? And, yes, sarcasm is another thing. I remember having a cousin though not saved when you made fun of her she would say yeah you are doing it for fun but there is some truth in the you are saying from your heart.

I know we will have glorified bodies but they will have some similarities. I mean we will come back to the earth and that will be similar or else why would God create a new one and not just create something called something else. We will eat and I think that we will enjoy that and that is soulish in the sense of having senses.

We shouldn't deign to make ourselves wiser than what the Word reveals, and that's why I'll stop here :)

Brother Paul

MrBill,

I am not sure you read my post or at least comprehended it completely. I wasn't asking whether or not there was laughter in heaven but whether or not there was humor in heaven. I stated that I know there will be laughter in the joy of the Lord. However, I also was questioning whether or not there was joking in Heaven. I must agree with you though somewhat emphatically that many are so joyless all the time. And this would be from an extreme doctrine that we are never to have recreation or have even spiritual joy because we need to have brokeness. I agree that we are to have brokenness and have soberness but having joy is also a serious thing. The joy of the Lord is our strength. The joy of the Lord is our ministry. Paul said that he wept and laughed at the same time and that is what we do since we weep for the lost and yet joy in our salvation. So, yes we have time for recreation and joy especially since it is spiritual and central in the Christian faith.

edited.

Since we are made in God's image, that will not change in eternity, will it? Ever noticed the incidents in Scripture of the emotions God used? Since evil will not be present in heaven, seems to me that all the sinful emotions will not be there, like anger, frustrations, impatience....

Now about humor - When one reads Revelation about the beauty of heaven, the delight, the joy I get overwhelmed. (Ever tried to visualized John's description of heaven, especially that which is detailed in chapter 4?) and that God wants to surrounded by people who have the capability of expressing emotion, just like he is - oh my! where is the delight?

Now, anyone who will buy his child a pet mouse to play with ...:-? Oh, dear, this would test the humor for some females I know!!! :-o

ginnyrose

Ginny,

Yes I do believe we will have the image of God. I do question though whether we lost it after the fall since we were called sons of men after wards I don't know I haven't thought about it for a while. Not on that but we are partakers of the Divine nature God has made his home in us and given us His resurrected life. And not only that but we are sons of God. We once were called sons of God but have regained it in Christ and will more fully have it. We have become in an even more special sense sons of God. Adam and the angels were sons of God. Our title now is greater though in that God took on the form of a man and now calls us brothers and because Jesus is the son of the Father we also are the very family of God so it is much closer then before because before God did not take on the form of a man and actually become our family if you see what I am saying. Incidentally, anger is not sinful in and of itself it can be righteous, but you are right it will not be in heaven because it wont need to be as far as I am told. I think it would be great to have the same revelation as John in our day. haha "mouse".

davidt wrote:
MrBill,

I am not sure you read my post or at least comprehended it completely. I wasn't asking whether or not there was laughter in heaven but whether or not there was humor in heaven.

Just wondering here because I really don't understand, how do you laugh without humor? I can sometimes look at folks and laugh, but I feel like I am judging them, so please give me an example of how do you laugh without humor please. :-?
Most folks I have known in the past that just sit around and laugh without humor was on mind altering drugs. :-o

MrBill,

In the overwhelming presence and joy of God I believe. I think our paradigm has been so turned that only someones folly or foolishness excites us enough to laughter. I believe there is a righteous, pure, and holy laughter. It is when Gods joy touches you so much that you are excited to laughter but we are so lil in the joy of God and burdened down by life that this is non existent. Here are a couple verses that I looked up that pretty much back up what I am saying I was just trying to explain it. I believe that these are in context to the joy of the Lord and worshiping in His presence. I do have a hard time with this concept in a complete sense because if it is true then the whole Church has to radically change on a very wide scale and I am just not fully convinced in my conscience yet I still have to think a lot of it through.

Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Luk 6:21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Psa 126:1-6 A Song of Ascents. 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. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

davidt wrote:
MrBill,

Here are a couple verses that I looked up that pretty much back up what I am saying.

Dave, I was not disagreeing with you, so you did not need to say here is something to back up what your saying, I was just asking to learn here, I never said I doubted what you were saying, sorry if I sounded that way. I guess we all have a tendency to go into the defense mode when we are confronted about our reasons or beliefs, I know I have a few times in life, no problem, I am here to learn not to Preach, trust me I am no Preacher.

MrBill,

sorry man seriously I didn't mean it that way. It was my fault I should have found a better way to write it. One lacking thing in text is that emotions and such are often hard to get across and I have yet to master it. I just meant to prove it so that it wasnt just my logic or opinion. That is all I know that we as Christians want to see scripture on truths so we can be instructed and convinced on subjects that is all.

Brother David,

I have really enjoyed the thread you have here. I though I would add a few scriptures to the on going discussion

Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I would also like to add that laughter is the manifestation of joy. Emotion is any strong feeling.

There are emotions that come from the flesh that can get out of control. The emotions that come from the spirit of man controlled by the Holy Spirit will be manifested properly and will not get out of control.

A good definition that I like for humor is to "put in a good mood". If one goes so far as to go over into silliness then he is activating the fleshly/carnal realm which will not edify the spiritual man.

Silliness tends to breed foolish and senseless behavior.

amen.

What Jesus did while on earth, that is not in the Holy Scripture is not essential to salvation and (speaking for both my Husband and myself) I am cautious to the point of abstaining to venture into any conjecture about if He laughed, smiled or anything else.

As for what will be in Heaven, as long as I am with Him - nothing else matters.

I do not mean anything hard against anyone for thinking of those things but for our family we feel it is safer to err on the side of being too cautious. Just something to think about. I believe times are coming when none of us will be smiling.

white stone

White,

White stone possibly referring to the white stone with a new name on it? I agree with this caution to an extent. I think there are some things that be drawn out through logic I wouldn't want to go to an extreme. I think though that we mainly talked about scriptures. I also agree with the fact that nothing else matters in heaven but it should to some extent. For instance Jesus offers us rewards in heaven for works of sacrifice here on this earth now. Or also Adam was given a garden to enjoy. As for not smiling this is true in a sense but I also think that during time of tribulation this will be when we have the most joy because the Spirit of God and of glory will rest upon us. But, I think I understand what you are saying that we will be sad and not that we wont have joy at all you are just making an emphatic point I believe. I did watch one Jesus film and I didn't like the way they presumed he did certain things.

Hello Davidt,

Thank you for seeing the essence of my post and taking no offense where none was intended. Sharing a viewpoint with a fellow Christian is something worth smiling over.

Best regards,
white stone

This truly has been a wonderful thread and I think we can probably all agree that the deeper we go in our Christian walks, the less we consider funny. I believe it was Keith Daniel who said,"The Lord knows how to take the joke out of a man."

Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...yet I'm sure He radiated peace and joy throughout his life. I don't exactly know how to explain it, but when I was backslidden, I was the queen of joking and foolishness. People expected the "joke of the day" when I arrived on the scene and there was much laughter. I always held the scripture from proverbs, that even in laughter, the heart is exceeding sorrowful. It was the truth and must have shown, because people would ask me why I wasn't smiling or that I should smile more.

Now here is the mystery of godly joy; I have wept more in the past seven years since my return to Lord than in all my life, but people compliment only my smile instead of asking why I look angry or frown. There must be a true joy that is reaped from tears.

Foolishness is a whole different story and I do get the impression that everyone is in agreement that it isn't pleasing to the Lord. I see how easy it is with simple jesting, especially with the inconverted, things can veer into dangerous areas. I think someone mentioned that on another thread. Joking is almost always laced with lies and cruelty.

I vote for joy unspeakable and full of glory. I have no greater joy than enjoying sweet fellowship with brothers and sisters that want only to speak of Jesus. Now that puts a smile on my face. :-)

I don't exactly know how to explain it, but when I was backslidden, I was the queen of joking and foolishness. People expected the "joke of the day" when I arrived on the scene and there was much laughter. I always held the scripture from proverbs, that even in laughter, the heart is exceeding sorrowful. It was the truth and must have shown, because people would ask me why I wasn't smiling or that I should smile more. Now here is the mystery of godly joy; I have wept more in the past seven years since my return to Lord than in all my life, but people compliment only my smile instead of asking why I look angry or frown. There must be a true joy that is reaped from tears.

Wow! That is so great! We can have laughter in a sinful state and be sad. In contrast we can have sorrow in a righteous state and be joyful. INDEED, what an unfathomed mystery. Thank you so much for sharing that it was wonderful :) HalleluJAH!

It reminds me of when I was very first saved or that Keith Green song where he sings, "people smile at me and want to be just as I am". I also had these verses come to mind:

1Pe 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and [b]rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory[/b],

Isa 6:3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is [b]full of his glory[/b]!"

1Pe 4:13-14 But [b]rejoice[/b] insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also [b]rejoice[/b] and be glad when his [b]glory[/b] is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of [b]glory[/b] and of God rests upon you.

p.s. Yes I am sure we all agree that foolishness is folly and the joy of the Lord is the right way.

Amen and amen DavidT.

And speaking of joy, the smile on Keith Green's face spoke volumes and I believe he was continually anguishing over many areas in his life.

Praise the Lord forever.

Yeah amen :).

Sister Kathleen & bro. David amen!

Look what God did in his apostles while they suffered so much pain and hardship. Look how they didn't complain about how they got a bad wrap all because they were serving God. Look how they began to bring joyful praise and singing to their great God. Look at what God did, shook the earth, open up the prison bars. Look how they even led the jailer to Christ!

Ac 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Ac 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Ac 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Ac 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Ac 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Ac 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Ac 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Ac 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Ac 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Ac 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Ac 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Laughter must be a part of heaven, just as weeping will be a part of hell. They are opposites, and what is absent from one is present in the other. Rob heaven of laughter, and you drag it nearer the abode of the lost. If God laughs, why should His children be deprived of laughter in His presence. Luther said he would not wish to go to heaven if God did not understand a joke. The Bible reveals that God does laugh, and laughter is already a part of heaven. Look at the three references to God's laughter in the Psalms.

1. Psalm 2:4 "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision." 2. Psalm 37:13 "The Lord laughs at the wicked, for He sees that his day is coming." 3. Psalm 59:8 "But Thou, O Lord, dost laugh at them...."

God laughs in scorn at the pathetic folly of puny men trying to outwit Him, and challenge His authority. It is the laughter of great superiority. Men trying to plot against God are as silly as nats plotting to attack a tank. It is a joke. It is funny when the weak do not recognize their weakness, and try to use it, as if it were a strength. We have here the humor that makes the husband laugh when his wife tries to overpower him. I have exploded in laughter, as Lavonne, in grim determination, has tired to push me onto the bed, or into a pool. It is the laughter of a parent, when a small child tries to, by sheer force, get it's will done in defiance of theirs. It tickles the funny bone, and you cannot help but laugh.

God cannot help but laugh at the folly of men trying to defy His power. This kind of laughter will cease, for men will no longer be trying such folly in eternity. But the point is, it reveals God's nature, and a sense of humor is a part of it. God is not a machine or a stone. He is a person, and is affected by the reality of humor. God never changes in His nature, and thus we know, He will have a sense of humor forever. In Eccles. 3:4, it says there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. In this life the times vary and alternate. But John says there will be no more weeping in heaven. Therefore, it will be a time for laughter. This does not mean we will spend eternity in laughter, but it does mean, we will spend it in a state of joy, where laughter is always potential.

Humor has been abused and vulgarized by the sinful nature of man. But the abuse of anything is not to be allowed to rob us of it's proper use. Sam Shoemaker in his book, Under New Management, writes, "How many of you still have a sneaking suspicion that religion and humor don't mix-that you can be humorous until you mention God, but then you must be solemn? This is heresy-but there are thousands who believe it, and by their solemn piety drive people away from the stream of life!"

We need to think more seriously about the nature of humor to grasp it's importance in the nature of God. If I can laugh at the monkey's, little children, and other funny things of life, but God cannot, then it would mean, I have a positive quality of character that God does not have. This, of course, can never be, for I am made in His image. Laughter must either be a part of that image, or be a result of the breaking of that image in the fall. Since all agree that a sense of humor is a positive quality in man, we have to conclude, it is a quality of God's nature, and will be eternal.

If the angels rejoice over every sinner who repents, I am sure that God the Father and the Son do not sit in solemn silence, but join the celebration. The father of the Prodigal Son called for a celebration when his son returned, and they began to make merry. If that father could go out and sulk with the elder son, and not enter into the joy and laughter of the party, then we would have a picture opposite of what Jesus gives us. He portrays this father, who represents God, as entering fully into the joy and laughter of the celebration. It can be assumed that God will do so in the eternal celebration of heaven.

I link laughter to joy, because it is almost impossible to conceive of a joyous banquet, where there is no laughter. Laughter is a part of a joyous time. It is not likely you would call any occasion joyous, if there was no laughter. If you could sit at the marriage supper of the Lamb, and never laugh, you would be able to say, this is great, but I remember a time on earth that was even greater. You can count on it, there will be no memories in heaven, that recall times on earth of greater joy and laughter. If laughter is not a part of heaven, it will lack a value we all treasure in time. This can never be.
Pastor Glenn Pease

Look how they began to bring joyful praise and singing to their great God. Look at what God did,

Yeah wow I see how the 2 go together here. When the Apostles are tried and tested and down they rejoice in faith by the Holy Spirit beyond human strength to conjure up joy and God honor's this aroma and He breaks in with a witness. They were preaching with their lives in faith by joy and glorified God and God aligned with their testimony and shook the very foundations of mans authority to where even the man in charge bows glory to God from the joy of God.

davidt wrote:

Look how they began to bring joyful praise and singing to their great God. Look at what God did,

Banks,

Yeah wow I see how the 2 go together here. When the Apostles are tried and tested and down they rejoice in faith by the Holy Spirit beyond human strength to conjure up joy and God honor's this aroma and He breaks in with a witness. They were preaching with their lives in faith by joy and glorified God and God aligned with their testimony and shook the very foundations of mans authority to where even the man in charge bows glory to God from the joy of God.

Amen! Amen!

Bill,

This is very true. So many things stuck out. Heaven is the opposite to hell and since hell has weeping heaven has laughter. Man that must be a lot of joy because I know hell has a lot sorrow. It is funny how I am so acquainted with the sorrows of hell but my view of the loftiness of the joy of heaven wains weak in comparison. The verse comes to mind, "eye has not seen nor ear heard the things which God has prepared for those who love Him but God has revealed them to us by His Spirit". Or Paul spoke of how it was unlawful for him to speak of the things which he saw when he was taken up, and we can see from the previous verse that we cannot even receive these things unless the Spirit reveals them". I will quote this also if I may in Ephesians it says,

"Eph 3:16-17 that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love,.

What I mean by this verse is that we cannot even receive revelation we don't have the capacity we will explode or fall to the ground as dead unless our inner man is strengthened. To have Christ dwell in us is no little matter He is a Lion! Or think of this this is 2 verses later:

Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

What is this? The FULLNESS of God? How can that be!? He is larger then the universe :) good thing He is Spirit but still? I believe Spirit to have more substance then the natural. I will stp with that because I am speaking beyond what I practice at this point and am feeling convicted. But yes a great celebration greater then anything this world can offer lest it would boast as we would if we could earn our way to heaven. As I meditate on these things corridors begin to open in my mind and take me to places few men have gone. It is like Tozer speaks about how you cannot speak with carnal men about these things because they have no inner life and we are the fellowship of the burning heart o that we would burn and not be fizzled out with the water of this world and its care.

Banks,

amen. acknowledged.

Dear brothers and sisters,
I must say that the mere fact that we are discussing this topic tells me that we have a great problem in the church today. Those in the church who seek a "deeper life" often go to frustratingly silly extremes to ensure that their behavior is acceptable in God's sight. To even suggest that laughter is ungodly or unscriptural is just downright strange and seems to be the hiding place of a greater problem. Even much of the talk of "soulishness" and of emotions as being foolish and of this earth leave me scratching my head. I would REALLY love to hear some scriptural evidence, not just quotes from "deeper life" teachers, that emotions and all things of the "soul" are godless and evil. I know that we could quote Watchman Nee on the subject, but I'm certain you would be hard pressed to prove it from the inspired Scriptures.

One brother suggested that Jesus' words in Luke 6:25, "Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep", suggests that laughter in this present existence is sinful, frivolous and ungodly. Well this statement of Jesus is made in the same breath of other statements, such as: "...woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort", "Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry", and "Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

To take the afforementioned passage to mean that laughter was wicked and sinful, you would also have to, by default, be willing to say that making good money, being well fed and being complimented were wicked and sinful. This is speaking of men who find their identities entirely in this present world. Did you receive a pay check this week? Then trust me when I tell you that you are rich compared to the majority of earth's inhabitants. Did you eat three meals today? Then trust me when I tell you that you are well fed. Has anyone ever complimented you, or spoke well of you? Are you wicked? Sinful? because of these things? No! You are, however, if you find your identity and satisfaction in these things.

As far as children are concerned . . . I cannot even fathom banning "silliness" from my house for fear of teaching my children to be worldly. Do you really believe that the Lord desires for the children of Godly parents to walk around, stoney faced, only laughing or cracking a smile if someone forcibly holds them down and tickles them? Certainly not. Our houses should be booming with laughter! Our children should be the happiest, most fun loving children on the planet. I cannot tell you how much I, as a father, enjoy sitting with my children laughing, singing, dancing and, YES, even being silly! I have met the children of well-meaning Christian parents who teach their children to be stoney faced, sour-pussed drones who find no enjoyment in life. They have almost always wound up being rebellious and very liberal young adults. Why? They were deprived of anything enjoyable as children and seek to later drink from defiled rivers in order to quench their thirsts. I've been to churches that govern their affairs by similar principles. Guess how many teens you typically find there? NONE! They are either in the clubs or at the compromised, seeker friendly church because the church has become an unbalanced monstrosity.

Ephesians 5:4 suggests that it is COARSE jesting that we should avoid. Literally the one word in Greek eutrapelia, speaks of vulgar or coarse talk. Certainly we should not engage in humour that involves lewd sexual behaviour, the belittlling and insulting of a person, mockery, etc... However, the scriptures place upon God the title, the God of Issac. Translated correctly this means the God of Laughter. The title, obviously, originates from Sarah's laughing at God's suggestion that she, in her old age, would give birth to a son. God scolds her for her unbelief, yet still chooses to be identified as the God of laughter. I remember reading the testimony of John "Praying" Hyde in which he tells of how God began to reveal Himself to him as the God of laughter. During times of intercession he would break out into spontaneously bouts of laughter.

Proverbs 31:25 states that the virtuous woman can, "laugh at the days to come". Proverbs 17:22 states that "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Many of the great revivalists of the past including Spurgeon and Moody were fond of using Humor in messages and in daily life. The nature of God is revealed to us through the parable of the two sons in Luke 15. The Father (God) in seeing the return of His son throws a party of all things. And according to the words of his "good" son, encourages them to "make merry". Many of the powerful revivals of the past have had this same characteristic. From Wales to New England, from Evan Roberts to Johnathan Edwards - all of these movements included powerful laughter and joy as well as weeping and laughter.

Consider these things prayerfully my friends.

God bless,
Jef

Hello fire,

First I would like to say that you should try to speak gentle and in love I am not sure that anyone on this post is in order for a sharp rebuke. Correction is fine and whatnot but it should be done in love and a spirit of gentleness. To add upon that though it is a totally different subject you ought to be careful who you rebuke you may be rebuking an elder and if so you are ordered only to encourage them. Or there are also times when you need to take a brother aside to correct him. Now I hope that in this short paragraph that I have written I have not offended so please let me complete my thought. I do not know for sure if that is what you are doing and I am not really trying to claim that you are I am only taking a precautionary stance. Whether you are or not I would encourage you to try to express your emoticons or you attitude because often that can not be detected very well and due to the friction that is tied to doctrine and the mass of argumentative debate already on these forums I don't think that we should add to it. I know that I have written a lot on this subject but this is not just directed to you but in general and also because I don't want to partake in this spirit myself.

First the topic was brought up, "Will there be humor in heaven?"

Then it was said that humor based on bad things is not good.

Then someone said that they were not sure on their stance as to whether there were emotions in heaven but not everyone agreed so you cant lump everyone in with one comment.

Then it was stated that the joy of the Lord is very important in the Christian life and that we should more emphatically promote positive joy and even laughter in our lives and we spoke of the hope to come.

Altogether it was a very edifying spiritual conversation with unity, love, and encouragement.

However I do not believe we came to a complete answer to the original question. Specifically the question is this and maybe you would like to offer your opinion. Will we tell jokes in heaven? What jokes do you know of that are not negative in some sense? That are not either silly, foolish, coarse, mocking, or sarcastic? If all jokes are based on these things then it would seem that these things are not in the Kingdom of Heaven. The one thing I questioned though is would there be silliness in heaven? And isnt silliness based on laughing at something that is stupid? and if so, then laughing at something stupid is not right and there will be nothing stupid in heaven. If all these presumptions are true then we need to totally shift our paradigm and find joy in the Lord even laughter in the joy and presence of the Lord as stated in scripture. I note this because one asked, "well then does laughter totally disappear"? The answer is no God laughs at His enemies and we laugh when we are rejoicing in the Lords goodness. However children can still have fun and laugh at innocent things like was aforementioned but not things based and mockery and so forth though very subtle.

p.s. I also do not believe that someone having a misinterpretation on a biblical passage in a non essential error is a great problem in the Church. We are all growing and many of our motives are sincere and the Lord is very patient with us as He was with Peter one does not get saved and then become the Apostle Paul in a day. So I think that patience should be bestowed upon fellow Christians in the love of Christ bearing one anothers burdens and not causing division like as Paul exhorted the Church in his time. I do however agree with you that there were some errors I believe in some interpretation but that is why we are bringing them up so that iron will sharpen iron and these issues are not easy I commend these brethren for getting to the place they have gotten especially compared to the body in general.

I thought I would add another response because the last one may not have been as succinct or clear.

frustratingly silly extremes to ensure that their behavior is acceptable in God's sight

talk of "soulishness" and of emotions as being foolish

as far as children are concerned . . . I cannot even fathom banning "silliness" from my house for fear of teaching my children to be worldly.

Ephesians 5:4 suggests that it is COARSE jesting that we should avoid.

I remember reading the testimony of John "Praying" Hyde in which he tells of how God began to reveal Himself to him as the God of laughter. During times of intercession he would break out into spontaneously bo

Hello Davidt,

As we were reading from Acts today, we came on a particular part that always brings a smile to our faces:
Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

When we read that we see humor. Perhaps, being brought up watching worldly movies has colored our perception?

Your reply to 'Fire' was good and I will take it to heart.
white stone

Humor is a natural thing IMO and anyone that would disagree with that first of all would probably be a Christian. I have seen some Christians that go into the most extreme sad looking, stone faced mode, when they accept Christ into there lives like there paranoid Jesus might just ditch them if they were to smile. If going into this mode is there reflection of how they feel after accepting Christ, I can see why the world is so gun shy. When I accepted Jesus Christ into my life, laughter and humor and joy has just poured out of me and has since, maybe this is wrong in some's opinions, but this is how I want to be in life and when I am in this mode I do my best work for Christ and it feels more natural to me personally. The guy that brought me to Christ was a very humorous person and still is and a wonderful deacon at Church, I am so glad I rejected all the sad sacks that witnessed to me before this guy came into my life, or I might of had the impression this was how I was supposed to be and act after accepting Christ. :-)

benjoseph wrote:
MrBillPro, would you be willing to consider whether Jesus ever made room for what personally feels more natural to us and how we want to be in life?

Hey I never said you could not be whatever you wanted to be, if being stone faced and sad is your thing, go for it! I was speaking for myself.

benjoseph wrote:
Also do you think people who are newly learning about their own sinfulness have good cause to be stone-faced and afraid?

Ben

Hey I have as good a testimony as most out there, Brother I sure had no reason to be stone-faced and afraid after my accepting Christ, just the contrary for me, I was the happiest and most joyfullest person on earth that day and still feel close to the same. Hey to each there own, some feel better being sad and stone faced they must, I see a lot of them at Church. :-P

I must have hit a nerve, I am sorry, it was not intended to be anything personal.

When we read that we see humor.

Yeah, this is a good example as to the depth of the depravity to which we have sunk in thinking this to be funny. It is that which is evil that makes us laugh it is so telling of the darkness of the human heart. Humor often masks evil very well since one becomes so preoccupied with the laughter that we are blinded by our lusts.

Ben,

Oh no you did answer my question. There were still however a couple things lingering.

Well, I think that they can be something like that. I'd say that our natural laughter could more so be this way. But, once we have been born again and have spiritual laughter we are already partkers of the heavenly calling though not completely.

davidt wrote:
Humor often masks evil very well since one becomes so preoccupied with the laughter that we are blinded by our lusts.

Dave I Love ya Brother but I totally disagree with this statement, I personally would say humor helps me take my mind off any evil thought that might try and enter my mind. To be honest with you, I find it hard to believe in today's world one becomes preoccupied with laughter, but I do believe in "Some" it does lift their spirit and this is a good start to lifting our faith, a joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones..

Bill and Ben,

I think that there are times when we should be stone faces and when we shouldn't. As already mentioned Paul stated that he both rejoice and grieved at the same time. He had joy in the hope of the glory of God but he also grieved over the state of the Church. I think as Ecclesiastes says there is a time for rejoicing and a time for weeping. We are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Or as Kathleen shared:

I don't exactly know how to explain it, but when I was backslidden, I was the queen of joking and foolishness. People expected the "joke of the day" when I arrived on the scene and there was much laughter. I always held the scripture from proverbs, that even in laughter, the heart is exceeding sorrowful. It was the truth and must have shown, because people would ask me why I wasn't smiling or that I should smile more. Now here is the mystery of godly joy; I have wept more in the past seven years since my return to Lord than in all my life, but people compliment only my smile instead of asking why I look angry or frown. There must be a true joy that is reaped from tears.

davidt wrote:
Bill and Ben,

I think that there are times when we should be stone faces and when we shouldn't. As already mentioned Paul stated that he both rejoice and grieved at the same time. He had joy in the hope of the glory of God but he also grieved over the state of the Church. I think as Ecclesiastes says there is a time for rejoicing and a time for weeping. We are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Or as White Stone shared:

Excellent!!! Dave, I will rejoice with you on this
your exactly right, well in my opinion. :-P

disagree with this statement, I personally would say humor helps me take my mind off any evil

Yes I agree... It might not have come off the right way and I didn't completely explain. I wasn't trying to say humor was evil I was only speaking about it in the sense of when it is being used in an evil way. I have known people to tell coarse jokes and then people get sucked into the funniness of it and pay no attention to the fact that it is coarse because it is so pleasurable and by this they are distracted because it is masked. I do agree that humor is a VERY good thing. I was only speaking about it being used for evil as it can.

dear brother
you are right in saying that I was a bit too harsh with my speech. In person, I assure you that my tone would have been gentler. When I write, however, I occasionally begin stringing words together and eventually wind up sounding somewhat sarcastic. I know that this is an area in which I need growth. Thank you for the encouragement and exhortation - I will take it to heart.

Fire,

you are right in saying that I was a bit too harsh with my speech. In person, I assure you that my tone would have been gentler. When I write, however, I occasionally begin stringing words together and eventually wind up sounding somewhat sarcastic. I know that this is an area in which I need growth. Thank you for the encouragement and exhortation - I will take it to heart.