here are many resolutions each of us can make to improve our Christian behavior this year. An important one is to remove the barbed-wire words of sarcasm — snide remarks, jeering, mean-heartedly poking fun at others, mocking, ridiculing, biting and stinging remarks.

Why does sarcasm not belong in the language of a believer? Simply put, sarcastic comments hurt others. They often create deep emotional wounds in one’s feelings of self-worth.

Two co-workers (we’ll call them Larry and Martin) didn’t like each other very much and seldom missed an opportunity to cut each other down with sarcastic comments. “Some of my stinging remarks must have cut and scraped Martin like barbed wire. And I know I have scars from things he said to me,” says Larry.

Yet, their sarcasm continued for months until Larry realized the hurtful comments did not match the biblical descriptions of a Christian’s speech.

Proverbs 12:18 states “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 15:4 adds, “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

Ephesians 4:29 is even more clear about sarcasm: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Verse 31 adds, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

Our business as a believer is to build up, not tear down. There is no room for sarcasm of any kind in the life of a believer.

When we speak sarcastically, we create a bad image of ourselves. Frank was a man who had a very low self image and never felt accepted in any group. Many times he made a caustic remark to someone in a group. In his mind, the remarks were clever or sometimes witty and would draw attention to himself. Well, it worked — but not in the way he wanted it to. The stinging comments only served to make him less accepted.

In a dating or marriage relationship, sarcasm is a sure destroyer. Over time, continual sarcasm actually can wound as deeply and destructively as physical or mental abuse or infidelity. We need to make loving remarks to our companion, rather than being critical.

Can you imagine Jesus ever being sarcastic?

How can we achieve a resolution to stop being sarcastic? Philippians 4:8 has the answer. “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” It is a thought process. We should measure our thoughts against what this verse has to say — before we speak.

Controlling our speech is not easy because the real problem is not our words, but what is in our hearts. James 1:26 states: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” We need to examine our heart condition if we are prone to cut others down.

Sarcasm is not the model of speech and interaction that Christ set for us. If we love our neighbor as ourselves — as Jesus commanded us in Mark 12:31 — we will never want to hurt others.

No, making these changes will not be easy. Our way of thinking must change and how we feel in our hearts about others may need correction. It may be a year-long process for making these kinds of changes in our lives; but in the end, we will be much happier and represent Christ in a far better way.

Isn’t it time for Christians to put a stop to our barbed-wire words that hurt others so much? What a great victory it would be in the year of 2008 to achieve this resolution!