The Seeing and Sarcastic Man
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 3-5; John 9; Psalm 126
One of my spiritual gifts is sarcasm.
I say that sarcastically—because, obviously, sarcasm isn’t listed in any of Paul’s epistles. But if you’ve got a little edge to your personality, you might understand what I mean. Sarcasm can be dangerous—easily misunderstood, and if used carelessly, it wounds people and shuts down conversations. But sometimes, a sharp word lands more powerfully than a soft one. When wielded wisely, it can cut through pretense and expose truth.
John 9 is one of those brilliant stories that centers on a single person: a man born blind. Jesus heals him, but the miracle creates a storm of controversy. The Pharisees don’t know what to do with it. It threatens their authority, their narrative, their religious control. So they question the man. Then they question his parents. Then they bring him back in and question him again—as if he were a criminal.
And this is where it gets good.
The man, no longer physically blind, shows he’s not spiritually blind either. His eyes are open, and so is his wit. The Pharisees ask again:
“What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”
You can almost hear the irritation in the man’s reply:
“I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”
That’s sarcasm. And it’s fantastic.
If I had been there, I would’ve laughed out loud and given him a high five—which would’ve been confusing, since high fives didn’t exist yet.
But he’s not done. When the Pharisees respond with anger, boasting about being disciples of Moses, the man replies:
“Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him... If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
It’s not just sarcasm. It’s logic. It’s courage. It’s testimony.
And notice—Jesus doesn’t correct him. He doesn’t say, “That was a little harsh,” or “Try to be more winsome.” Instead, Jesus seeks him out and reveals more of Himself. The man’s boldness isn’t condemned; it’s honored.
Sometimes, sarcasm is just spiritual immaturity in disguise. But sometimes, it’s a sharp arrow in the quiver of truth. Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal:
“Shout louder! Surely he is a god. Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling...” (1 Kings 18:27)
Even Paul, when pushed, replied with biting irony:
“I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!” (Galatians 5:12)
And Jesus? He told Pharisees they were like whitewashed tombs and blind guides straining out gnats and swallowing camels. Not exactly soft language.
So if you’ve got a quick tongue and a sarcastic streak, don’t assume it’s a curse. Just use it with care. Ask God to help you know when to speak sharply, and when to hold back. Don’t use sarcasm to win arguments or show off. Use it to expose hypocrisy, defend truth, or highlight absurdity—as long as your goal is love and clarity, not superiority.
Let your words be seasoned with salt. And if there’s a little bite in that salt, let it be holy.
Wise words