PHOTO/Courtesy.
In everything we do, we should seek to glorify God. This includes our joke-telling and attempts at humor.
According to Ugandan comedian Kenneth Kimuli better known as Pablo, part of maturing in Christ is learning to filter what comes out of our mouths.
“As a standup comedian, I always ask myself what is in the joke for the final consumer. Is laughter the end? Or is it education and value addition? Or even—and most importantly,— the glory of God?” he said.
All across the nation, there are many stand-up comedians and comedy skits on social media that capitalize on the darker, raunchier side of humor to get cheap laughs. Several make attempts to elicit laughs by crossing a line into impropriety.
Pablo explained in an article published by byamukama.com on July 4, 2021 why Christians are to fill their mind with the things that are noble and admirable – rising above coarse jesting and crude joking, as Ephesians 4:29 warns.
“The beauty of comedy concerns how the comedian can quickly get away with everything. This getting away, of course, depends on one’s delivery. But politicians could soon be arrested for saying what comedians say because people do not take politicians lightly—as they do comedians,” Pablo commented.
“Unfortunately, comedians often take their privileged platform for granted, repeatedly abusing it. Rather than use comedy to educate and edify, we could uninvitedly invade people’s privacy. Our language can be vulgarized and packed with obscenities, considering that to be the best way to crack up revelers,” he continued. “Though such antics may pay off in the short-run (depending on the target audience), it compromises the comedian’s growth and impact. People find it hard to vouch, endorse, or second you for an opening.”
Originally an Anglican, Pablo is a Born again Christian. Having been a heavy drinker and smoker, he got saved when he turned on the television and heard Joyce Meyer preaching.
The 42-year-old has been privileged to perform on several stages, both locally and internationally. He has shared the stage with several established comedians, and says, every experience has always been different.
He is a big advocate for jokes that evoke conversations and better people’s livelihood.
The father of two (2) owes his mindset to his no-nonsense family that would not accept any slight vulgarity, obscenity, or swearing. “Those who attempted such would experience the power of the cane. The Bible was foundational to life at home,” he said.
The Bible’s caution to comedy
For Christians who wonder whether the Bible has anything to say about comedy or ‘jokes,’ Pablo first quoted Proverbs 26:18-19. It reads,
“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
“Note how commonly people pass over their sinful jests by claiming they are joking. They ignore their words’ emotional implications on others. But also note the connection between jokes and deception,” Pablo explained, later quoting Ephesians 5:4, which says,
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
“From these texts, we see that the comedian should watch his tongue. As Proverbs 10:19 insists, “Too much talk leads to sin, be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Because comedy is a game of words and the comedian is a wordsmith, the comedian must watch what they say and how they say it and how much they speak.
“Jesus states the same in Mathew 12:34 where he teaches that our mouth mirrors our heart. Everything you say is a manifestation of what lies in your heart. From a logical point of view, therefore, it is better to think through a joke and ask yourself a few questions before sharing it. Will it offend anyone? Will it invade someone’s privacy? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Can the listener freely share it with someone else? Is it believable? These, among others, are what have kept me going clean in this dirty comic world,” he said.
With emphasis on Philippians 4:8, Pablo urged that people easily relate and identify with whatever is true.
“Things that we experience in our everyday activities are fodder for humor. But truth also concerns God. And as comedians, we glorify God when we share the lighter side of truth truthfully and cleanly. Such comedy that does not dishonor God is enjoyable. We bring glory to God when we enjoy the funny things of life with thanksgiving to God. Joy with gratitude honors God.
“Think of Psalm 126:1–2, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter.” This text describes laughter and joy as products of God’s goodness. If we think of it, the comedian should display God’s goodness even in the hardships of life, so that many may be thankful to God through laughter. And when we gratefully laugh, we will discover with Proverbs 17:22 that “A joyful heart is a good medicine.”
“Therefore, comedy is meant to be a celebration of thanksgiving to God. It should heal the soul and refresh the mind. Laughter is a verbal therapeutic massage of the mind. Comedy is a higher call to educate and inform people in the process of entertaining them. But it is a call to look to God who gives us all things freely to enjoy—all things, including laughter,” he said.
