Christians are often thought of as stiff and serious to a fault, showing little humor or delight in humorous things.
While we all ought to approach our faith, our worship, and God’s Word with reverence and solemnity, the Author of Scripture sometimes gives us humorous ways to see biblical events and enlighten us to the uselessness of false gods (see 1 Kings 18:20-39, esp. v. 27 and 1 Samuel 5:1-4, where the Philistine “god” is toppled and hewn in the presence Ark of the Covenant). After all, God created humanity in His image, and laughter displays the (hopefully right) condition of our hearts. A Christian’s laughter comes as a delightful reaction to an event or story that causes no harm but usually makes light of our common frailties of mind and body.
Christians do indeed laugh, but not like or at what the world laughs at. Humor is not automatically virtuous, as seen by the world’s use of humor that often profanes the Lord (and His name).
I recall a time when, as a new Christian, I searched for a local church and visited one congregation on Palm Sunday. The pastor’s opening story was a joke about Christ on the cross. I won’t repeat it because it’s mortifying and brings no edification to anyone. I sat, dumbfounded, and left as soon as I could. What should I have done in reaction to the pastor’s joke about Jesus?
The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and that admonition certainly applies to readiness for such an occasion as responding to jokes about Jesus. 1 Peter 3:15 is a great verse for us to memorize and keep in mind as we encounter people who make jokes about our Lord: “[B]ut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Be ready to answer with gentleness and respect.
The following are five scenarios and five biblically-informed responses to draw upon when you are in a situation where someone is joking about Jesus in an offensive manner.
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1. Take the Opportunity to Share the Good News about Jesus
1. Take the Opportunity to Share the Good News about Jesus
An acquaintance tells you a joke about Jesus. As you listen and pray, don’t miss the chance to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the joke-teller.
Sample conversation starter:
“I think you’ll understand why I’m not laughing at your joke. You know I’m a Christian, and Jesus is my Lord and Savior. But He’s more than that; He’s Lord and Savior of all. He’s beyond our comprehension in His holiness. When I talk about holiness, I’m not putting myself above anyone else, because I’m just one of the millions He’s saved from God’s wrath, one of the eternally grateful ones. I’m talking about Jesus as God, and He deserves nothing but praise and glory. I completely identify with Him as my Lord and Savior, and when you told that joke, it cut my heart to know you think of our Creator as anything but good. May I share more with you?”
Scripture: “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16)!
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2. Responding to a Hostile Crowd
2. Responding to a Hostile Crowd
An acquaintance who’s a joke teller tries to shame you in front of a hostile crowd. Their joke about Jesus is meant to provoke you to make an angry or nasty retort just to prove Christians “can’t take a joke.”
If you are alone and the crowd seems unsafe, it’s better to walk away with no remarks or angry looks. If you feel safe, you can take a gentle yet winsome stand for Christ.
Sample dialogue:
“I know you are aware I’m a Christian, and that’s cool because I don’t try to hide it from anyone. Maybe that’s why you’re trying to push my buttons to get a reaction? I don’t know. I’ve always been fair and to the point with you, and this is no exception. I’m sure you know I’m offended by your joke about Jesus. I need to ask you, though, why would you do that? Is it because you don’t like me? Or is it Jesus you don’t like? Please think about what you’ve said and done. I’m fine if you don’t like me, but If you want to talk peacefully, I’m available. But I won’t accept you ridiculing the Lord for your amusement.”
Scripture: “So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name” (Acts 5:41).
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3. Responding to a Joke about Jesus on Social Media
3. Responding to a Joke about Jesus on Social Media
If Jesus is the target for jeers on social media or in an online or published article, you might carefully submit a response. Oftentimes, social media is a Coliseum that pits the lions of atheism and hate-mongering against Christ’s flock of Christians. As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are not to remain silent as the sea of attacks rage against our beliefs and about our Lord Christ.
A Jersey Road article offers this wisdom, “As Christian leaders, it’s important not to stay silent when anyone’s faith is being targeted, Christian or not. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right for both Christians and those of other faiths. As you speak up for this freedom, it’s important to think about what it means to do so with grace and truth. There are many ways to speak up without being aggressive or forgetting the mandate to love your neighbour. A public protest isn’t the only way to use your voice for influence – you could do something as simple as making a public remark on a pulpit, a statement on your website or an interview with a local paper. And remember, the tone with which you speak is often as important as the words you use, particularly if you find yourself in front of a video camera or a microphone.”
Sample social media response:
“I know I am opening myself up to attack and scorn, but I had to take a moment and respond to your comment. I’m a Christian and that means I follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Maybe you don’t understand what that means, but for me, I can’t not respond when He is openly attacked. You might say, 'Well, can’t He defend Himself?' He surely can and will, but for right now, I have the privilege of standing up for Him in this public forum. I don’t fear your words, but I hold Jesus as King and I owe Him my eternal life. One day He will judge all the peoples of the earth for what they did with Him. You’re either for Him or against Him, and it makes me weep knowing so many who reject Him will face His wrath. Please take my words as loving and as those spoken with a gentle and forgiving intention.”
Scripture: Galatians 1:2: “And they glorified God because of me.”
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4. Helping Fellow Christians Understand it's Wrong to Joke about Jesus
4. Helping Fellow Christians Understand it's Wrong to Joke about Jesus
Another Christian shares a joke about Jesus they heard on a talk show. It’s not condemning, but it’s disrespectful and would cause an immature believer to think it’s okay to joke about the Lord. When you realize what the other person is starting to share, stop them before they can finish the joke. As Christians, we are all in the sanctification process toward holiness, and we shouldn’t miss the chance to help another believer grow as a disciple.
Sample conversation starter:
“Please don’t finish the joke. I know it’s probably funny and not harmful, but I and many others are very sensitive to jokes about our Lord. You know how so many things that didn’t use to bother us before now bother us as Christians? That happened to me about joking. So much is about making fun of other people, isn’t it? I don’t mind when I make fun of myself, but it’s different when I make fun of others in jokes, much more when it’s Jesus. I just think it’s best to not joke or listen to jokes about our Lord.”
Scripture: “For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps, Who did no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth, Who being reviled, was not reviling in return; while suffering, He was uttering no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).
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5. Responding to a Person of Another Faith Who Jokes about Jesus
5. Responding to a Person of Another Faith Who Jokes about Jesus
A person of another faith tells a joke that makes fun of Jesus and calls Him everything but what He is.
We expect certain things of the world, and disparaging jokes about Jesus shouldn’t surprise us. Offend us? Yes. Surprise us? No. But as Christians we need to stand for the Lord. We don’t put on our boxing gloves and verbally bash the person in return, but we do stand firm, covered in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Sample Dialogue:
“Wow! That was pretty direct, and it tells me how you feel about Jesus. I have to ask, though, how would you feel if I told the same kind of joke about your faith? I respect your choice, though, and I only ask that you respect mine and not tell jokes about Jesus when we’re together. I hope you understand, but if you don’t, that’s okay, too. My faith in Jesus is of the utmost importance to me, as I’m sure yours is to you.
Scripture:
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe” (Proverbs 29:25).
Is there room for humor in a Christian’s life? Certainly. But our humor is to be such that it doesn’t degrade anyone or profane what’s holy. When you encounter people who joke about Jesus, try to be as gentle as possible and yet stay firm in your faith and convictions.
For a funny look at Christian behaviors with no disparaging jokes, see Jon Acuff’s book, “Stuff Christians Like.”
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Originally published April 08, 2025.
