Blessed Sarcasm
1 Peter 3:8-9 is pretty clear on how we are to treat everyone we come into contact with. I have pulled the verses from a few translations to shed light on the passage from different angles:
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. – ESV
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Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. – NLT
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8To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. – NASB
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Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble). 9Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection]. – Amp
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8-9Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. – The Message
It doesn’t really matter what translation you choose, the message stays the same.
Love one another. Sympathize with one another. Bless one another. Have compassion for one another. Live in harmony instead of dischord.
And when you receive evil – be it insults, biting sarcasm, scolding etc – don’t retaliate with the same. Instead follow what our momma’s taught us and “kill them with kindness.”
Ooh – that one hit home. As someone who jokes that English is my second language – sarcasm is my first, well, let’s just say that it’s not that easy to hold my tongue when someone gives me a tongue lashing. Sarcasm is my first line of defense. It’s my counter-attack.
Oh, wait…
…we aren’t supposed to be attacking others. We are supposed to be blessing others.
crud.
Boy do I have a long way to go… and many apologies to give.
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Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone. Let your heart burn with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path …
~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
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