When school was almost out, one of my students started laughing. She was trying to control it, but the harder she tried, the worse it got. Then you can guess what happened. The student next to her started laughing, and soon the whole row joined in. Mind you, no one knew what she was laughing at. I made the statement. “I want to laugh, too. Do share!” I walked up to the student, and she was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face. By then, all the students and teachers in the room were laughing or smiling. I finally said, “Okay. Let’s get to work,” with a smile.
Laughter is contagious. When someone is in a good mood and is smiling, it causes others to smile. According to the Mayo Clinic and other medical sources, laughter boosts the immune system, reduces stress, improves mood, strengthens relationships, and increases pain relief. Pain relief was the most amazing of these findings to me. Laughter actually promotes the release of natural painkillers in our bodies. God has designed us with such a perfect body. Even laughter is a part of our healing. Isn’t that astounding!
Laughter can bring so much joy, but laughter is not always good. When others laugh at us and not with us, it is hurtful. Many television shows have scenes of people laughing at the misfortune of others. Students who are the victims of bullying have scars they have to overcome. When a group gangs up on them because they are different, it causes a lot of pain. Social media gains popularity at the expense of others. When a child comes home from school sad and dejected, the parent’s heart breaks. Often, it is because other children laughed at them, or, heaven forbid, a teacher makes a snide remark. Don’t get me wrong, we do need to teach our children to be tough, but harassment is not acceptable in any situation. Laughter is not always good medicine. Sometimes it is devastating.
When laughter is used the way God intended, it is a wonderful thing. It can make a dark sky beautiful, a frown turn into a smile, and a heart full of despair heal. God has many beautiful gifts for us. Unfortunately, Satan likes to pollute many of God’s gifts to man. He has polluted our beautiful earth, as well as the printed word, television, radio, and the internet. I can only imagine how he will ruin AI. Man has taken what was created to be wonderful and assisted the devil in using it for evil. These items are good and bad. Man has to be responsible in how he uses them.
Man has used laughter for good and for bad. We laugh at things that are funny and pleasant, and we laugh at things that are wrong. But to me, one of the worst things humans do is encourage Satan to laugh. Have you ever thought of how we make the devil laugh?
As Christians, we sit around and blame the devil for our problems. We think about his demons trying to defeat us. I don’t ever look at the leaders in our Christian ministries who have fallen with disdain. I hurt for them, and I pray for them. I realize that they have such an impact on our world that the devil is hitting them with all he has got. Of course, when they do fall, he laughs. But what about when I fall? Satan laughs! But not for the same reason. He doesn’t need to attack me because he knows my flesh is doing it for me. Lucifer doesn’t need to send his emissaries in most cases. My own selfish heart causes most of my failures. He has very little time for me. He just stays in his realm, laughing.
When people call themselves Christians, but they do not have any of the fruits of the Spirit, Satan laughs. Ephesians 5:22-23 states that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are signs of Christians walking with Jesus. We are supposed to be manifesting these fruits in our daily lives. This lifestyle will demonstrate the Christian faith to others. Will we always have these characteristics in our lives? Of course not! We will only be perfect when we get to heaven. Unfortunately, most of us don’t even try to serve Him and show others these fruits of the Spirit.
When we don’t serve Jesus completely, we become Satan’s assistants. We are the best helpers he has. Why does he need to waste time on us? Each time we sin, it helps him. Each time we don’t witness, it helps him. Each time we seem defeated, it helps him. Each time we fail, he laughs. The devil delights in our failures because we cause our Lord grief. When I fail, I try to picture His tears and the disappointment they bring. And then, I imagine Satan laughing. It helps me to be stronger next time.
The devil has so many assistants. I wonder who they all are. If Satan had a party in the United States, who would be invited? If he rented a large banquet hall, who would come? I am sure he would ask his demonic assistants. They may be the ones planning the party and waiting on the tables. He would also invite the politicians of our country who are trying to destroy America. He would ask the people who are lost and living in sin. They would gladly come to his party. But who would be the guests of honor? Would it be you or me? I wonder if the people who do the most damage to the cause of Christ are the people who call themselves Christians but have no fruit. The people who attend church on Sunday often lead different lives during the week. Maybe it is the ones who call themselves Christians, but only go to church when it is convenient, who only give when they have spare change, or walk the fence on every issue.
Perhaps the ones that hurt the cause of Christ the most are the ones that serve him half-way. I realize I have failed my Lord so many times in my life, and I have caused the devil to laugh. By God’s grace, I do not want to ever aid Satan to defeat the cause of Christ. Lord, may I never cause Satan to laugh again. Do you cause Satan to laugh? Dr. Worthington has five children and twelve grandchildren. She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.