“Only a clever human can make a real joke about virtue, or indeed about anything else; any of them can be trained to talk if virtue were funny.” Uncle Screwtape
In this letter, Wormwood’s patient has found a new set of friends who are suitable to Uncle Screwtape because they are GREAT LAUGHERS. Screwtape feels it is critical to explore the subject of laughter and explain why it is not always in the devils favor.
When I think of people that deserve hell, my mind goes to those people that have committed horrific crimes like Charles Manson, Adolph Hitler, and many others. However, so many are quietly and comfortably progressing toward hell without committing one of the spectacular crimes. How is this possible? The reason is simple – they reject God – they are sinners – they are destined for hell. They measure the value or seriousness of their sin by the world’s standards and not God’s standards. There is none righteous, no not one! For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! The penalty of sin is death! The more one rejects God the more seared his heart becomes to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
The scoffers main goal is to destroy any idea that is not his own by making fun and ridiculing all who stand against him and recruit others to stand with him. The Bible warns us not to entertain the company of scoffers or to become influenced by them. Christians are often ridiculed in school by other school kids. Kids are cruel and bullying is rampant in school. The Bible warns us not to entertain the company of scoffers and to avoid being influenced by them. In contrast, we are to love others and even love our enemies. Christ said you will know my disciples by their love one to another. Christ loved us that he played down his life for us. No greater love than to lay down ones life for another. Agape Love – Unconditional Love!!
The source of true joy is God and it cannot be forced or faked. Joy is not dependent on our circumstances. I remember the song, I have the Joy Joy Joy Joy down in my Heart! Where? Down in my Heart…
Screwtape said fun is “emotional froth arising from the play instinct” and can prompt love, courage, contentment and many other evils. The only benefit of fun for Screwtape is that it can be used as a diversion tactic for keeping humans from noticing or acknowledging God. However, it is largely ineffective in damaging their heart or soul.
Today, people will excuse their sin by making jokes the help them from guilt. I saw a video recently of two people that were passed out on the street having overdosed on Herin. There was a crowd of people laughing at the man and women as they lay unconscious on the sidewalk. Laughing crowd records Memphis couple’s heroin overdose without helping them.
This man was already passed out and the woman was in the process of passing out. The crowd was laughing and making fun of these people. No one helped the people or called for medical assistance. I imagine some of the people might of stopped to help; but the peer pressure was to laugh and ridicule these drug addicts.
Remember at the cross when our Savior Jesus Christ was being executed. Remember the Romans and Jews laughing at our bloodied Savior. They even put a sign over his head to further ridicule our Lord. One of two being executed with Jesus also laughed and said, if you be the Son of God, save yourself. The other asked Jesus to remember him. Laughing sin off makes our hearts hard and callous.
