2025: The American Pastime of Mocking Enemies

About four years ago, I often chuckled at The Babylon Bee’s humor, particularly because it was aligned with my political ideology. Most of its content seemed harmless, but at times, it appeared the editors were willing to push boundaries to gain readership. I became increasingly uncomfortable with irreverent satire that included poking fun at Scripture. I ultimately called it quits with the Bee when one of its headlines offered up X-rated innuendo as it attacked a liberal opponent. The headline in question was not appropriate for Christians, let alone children or teens.

As I began thinking about some of the Bee’s tactics, I thought to myself, “Where is Christ’s love in this?” Unfortunately, the so-called Christian satire site demonstrates how contempt for others is interlinked with disbelief in all of Christ’s commands. As a result, such a mindset will flirt with all sorts of irreverent behavior: referencing X-rated ideas in jest, mocking enemies, and, yes, even going too far with humor aimed at God. In short,

when people disregard Christ's command to love enemies, they eventually express disdain for God across the board.

As such, The Babylon Bee is just a minor residual side effect of today's attitudes. Cultural Christianity, for instance, usually takes its cues from political leadership and popular culture. It is not necessarily concerned about the Golden Rule or fearing God, for that matter. All forms of mockery are invited and expected in many circumstances.

Is Satire in the Bible?

As a genre, satire is undoubtedly used in Scripture, but its intent differs from what we see on social media. One example of satire appears in 1 Corinthians 4:8–13. Paul is verbally hitting readers he knows personally with the aim of changing their way of thinking. He follows up his statements in verse 14 by explaining, “I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”  His use of satire is benevolent as he points them back to God. Hence, there is a time and place for the device, and its proper employment is limited.

Contrarily, internet satire is most often associated with sarcasm. The two are closely related, but the latter is toxic and is meant to inflict pain and/or humiliation on the target. The term sarcasm derives from the Greek word sarkazein, which means to tear flesh. Sarcastic jokes we often see in the media are meant to cause carnage, and they're a business proposition designed to gain viewers, readers, and advertisers. Sarcasm is the vehicle for mockery and does not benefit the target. Specifically, it does not point others to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The American Cultural and Political Environments

There is no doubt that social media has indoctrinated many when it comes to lifestyles that oppose God. But perhaps the most widespread indoctrination has been the teaching of hatred. Merciless mockery and open anger saturate cyberspace. Sadly, political leadership on all sides has reinforced the notions that name-calling and publicly kicking others when they are down are admirable and in fashion. Such temperaments are often compensated with money and fame. Politicians and so-called influencers have tapped into a machine that permeates sarcasm and even direct insults. Today, nothing is off limits. Consequently, the social media apparatus indirectly asks, “Are you not entertained?”

At fifty-six years of age, I had not seen accepted, public mockery most of the first four decades of my life. I personally estimate that this cultural phenomenon has risen to prominence in the past decade. Obviously, social media has been the conduit that has magnified derisiveness; it is overwhelming at times. Mocking has become an American pastime. Thus, in cyberspace, the fruit of the Spirit is often not exhibited (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).

Love Your Enemies in Speech and Deed

Fortunately, Christ Jesus is contrary to the world, and we should be overjoyed with this fact! While we were sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:6-8). Jesus left His exalted position and emptied Himself to save those who would believe in Him (Philippians 2:5-8). Think about this, He offers salvation to His enemies! Holy God could have mocked all of humanity after its fall, but He didn’t. He had nothing but mercy and indescribable love for His creatures. Is this the kind of love we find in relentless mocking of enemies? The answer in Scripture is, "No."

Furthermore, when Jesus commands us to love our enemies, He expects us to model His actions. For example, in Luke 6:35-36, He states, “But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Remarkably, when Jesus was crucified, He continued to express mercy for His enemies. Even as they mocked Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  He did not offer a curse.

So, only by overcoming evil with good can we point others to Christ. Demonstrating love that the world deems illogical is precisely what the Christ-follower should do. Those who are born again have a higher calling, and it is demonstrated in word and deed.

Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christ-followers are deeply concerned for the souls of others. If we are constantly making fun of our enemies, rest assured, we are not praying for them. We should always aspire to pray for the salvation of the lost. May God have mercy on them as He has had mercy on us.

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

The end of the matter, all that has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the end of the matter for all mankind.

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 7:12

“Therefore, in all things, whatever you want people to do for you, so do for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Luke 6:35-36

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Luke 23:34

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

John 14:15

 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

Romans 5:6-8

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind. Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, expecting what is good in the sight of all men, if possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men, never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Galatians 5:22-24

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Ephesians 5:3-5

But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; nor filthiness and foolish talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no one sexually immoral or impure or greedy, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Philippians 2:5-8

Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

James 3:5-12

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce fresh water.