Laughter certainly is good for the soul according to the biblical scripture of Ecclesiastes 3.4. However, there are jokes that are very inappropriate for Christian behavior.

Among "Christian" jokes that are circulating on the world wide web is one about a cat going to heaven and devouring the mice that also had gone to heaven. Such story telling is nothing less than laughing at God's predator-prey system that He established as a result of sin, and one that will be done away with in the end. There is absolutely nothing humorous about any form of sin or any of its ugly consequences. Therefore, mockery of such things harms one spiritually.

Many of the "Christian" jokes one may come across such as the story of dogs writing letters to God, amount to entertainment through the telling of lies. Someone might respond that the parables through which Jesus taught His disciples are also fictitious stories. Therefore, Christians can know that there's nothing wrong with these types of jokes. However, this is not a defense with any scriptural support. A parable and a joke, although both fictitious, are two different things because they have two different goals. The parable is used to impart understanding. The joke is used to incite laughter. Here lies the difference. Scripture does not condemn the parable, but it does condemn the joke.

Ephesian 4.3-4 says, "let it not be once named among you as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting which are not convenient (permitted). It is the duty of every believer to remember the scripture of Proverbs 6.16-17 which reminds that there are six things the Lord hates. Among these things is a lying tongue.

It is for this reason that the Bible tells warns the reader to refuse old wives tales and fables such as that of the Tooth Fairy.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables and exercise (commit) thyself rather unto Godliness. (KJV, 1 Timothy 4.7)

Christians can and should have genuine and clean fun as life is full of hilarious moments that occur spontaneously.

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Author's Bio: 

Hannah Henderson is an ordained missionary and freelance writer specializing in biblical studies. She is also earning a degree in web development.