Teasing is a behaviour prevalent even in Biblical times. The Bible, rich in wisdom and guidance, provides several verses instructing on appropriate behaviour, including how to address teasing and mockery. As a revered moral compass, it offers guidance on how one should react to such behavior and advocates against indulging in it.
What Does the Bible Say About Teasing?
Like all human behaviors, the Bible addresses the act of teasing. Although the Bible does not explicitly refer to teasing in contemporary language, it delivers messages around the significance of words, respect, kindness and love amongst peers. It warns against mockery, harsh jesting and discourages the use of language intended to harm or belittle others.
Why Does the Bible Disapprove of Teasing?
The Bible emphasizes love and respect for others. Teasing, which may be harmful or disrespectful, is viewed as a behaviour that contradicts these virtues. The Bible values the power of words and thereby teaches us to use them wisely, offering comfort, encouragement and love. It cautions against irresponsible use of tongue, insisting that every word uttered has the potential to create or destroy, heal or hurt.
Who Is Impacted by Teasing According to the Bible?
Teasing affects not just the person at the receiving end but also the one indulging in the act. The Bible highlights that demeaning others reflects poorly on the individual’s character and ultimately harms their spiritual growth. It subtly underlines the karmic principle where any gesture, word or action taken against others will eventually reflect back on the doer.
Where Does the Bible Advocate for Kindness Instead of Teasing?
Throughout the Bible, there is an abundant advocacy for kindness, compassion, and empathy as opposed to any form of unkind jesting or teasing. The Bible encourages us to adopt a more accepting attitude towards others’ shortcomings and to choose our words carefully, always in a manner that dignifies and respects the other person.
When Should Words of Encouragement Replace Teasing in Biblical Context?
Essentially, the Bible encourages edifying communication at all times. It believes that words should be used for encouragement and upbuilding, rather than demeaning and hurting. This principle applies to both personal conversations and public interactions and extends to every aspect of human communication, promoting a more respectful, understanding, and humble society.
Below is our full list of bible verses on teasing (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Teasing
Proverbs 26:18-19
“18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”
Related Themes: Reputation Lying Sarcasm Joking
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others Cursing
Ephesians 5:4
“4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
Philippians 2:4
“4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Related Themes: Selfishness Selflessness Dating Serving Others Sacrifice
2 Kings 2:23-24
“23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.”
Proverbs 29:11
“11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Related Themes: Criticism Arguing Frustration Letting Go Emotions
James 3:13-18
“13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
Related Themes: Humility Life Wisdom Bitterness Meekness
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
James 3:6
“6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
Matthew 18:15
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
Exodus 20:16
“16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
Related Themes: Gossip Telling The Truth Lying Reputation False Accusations
Proverbs 29:20
“20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
Related Themes: Words
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
Proverbs 10:32
“32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth
Deuteronomy 21:18-21
“18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Killing Children
Matthew 5:22
“22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Related Themes: Frustration Hell Lust Attitude Love
Proverbs 11:13
“13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”
Related Themes: Gossip Friendship Rumors Idleness
Exodus 21:17
“17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Punishment
1 Corinthians 14:33
“33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Related Themes: Confusion Discernment Peace Chaos Bullying
Proverbs 26:4-5
“4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”
Related Themes: Arguing Foolishness
Matthew 7:12
“12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Respect Respecting Your Parents Morality
James 4:11
“11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Judging Others Gossip
1 John 2:9
“9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Bullying Hypocrisy Division
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
2 Timothy 1:7
“7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Related Themes: Fear Self Confidence Business Bullying Self-Control
Luke 18:31-33
“31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”
