Is it OK to prank someone?
"A joyful heart is good medicine..." —Proverbs 17:22
God created human beings with the ability to laugh, have fun, and enjoy humor. Connecting over funny memes or videos or just having fun together is one of the ways we can strengthen bonds with our people. We can even find animals frolicking, teasing, and playing together in nature. When the time is appropriate, there's nothing wrong with being playful.
When it comes to teasing or pulling pranks on people, however, that's taking fun to another level—one that isn't always the best idea. Pranks and practical jokes generally require some level of deception and making an unwitting victim into a punchline. Taking advantage of a person's innocence or naivety can be disrespectful at best or downright hurtful at worst.
How We Affect Others
"Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds." —Colossians 3:9 (NLT)
As followers of Christ, we should be truth-tellers (Proverbs 11:3; Colossians 3:9). We ought to do our best to love and respect those around us (Romans 12:10). If we're intentionally trying to embarrass, shame, or humiliate someone, then we're being cruel—not funny.
You or your friend may have no problem laughing at yourself or each other. Maybe you even enjoy being pranked. That's not everybody though. So you'd better be quite sure they'll love it before you plan to play a prank or joke on an unsuspecting friend. Consider if they might be offended or hurt. Think about whether your actions might harm your relationship, sully your integrity, or break their trust in you.
Pranks Gone Wrong
"Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, 'I was only joking.'" —Proverbs 26:18-19 (NLT)
Organizing elaborate pranks that could go wrong is just asking for disaster to strike. We can't be in control of every possibility, so we need to weigh the risks of a failed joke against our responsibility to protect our loved ones (Philippians 2:4).
Any prank or joke that causes real harm to someone—physically, mentally, or emotionally—needs to be off the planning table for someone who professes to follow Christ. Harmful humor is often a camouflage for malice, outright lies, or revenge. Being passive-aggressive then writing it off as being "funny" is not an excuse for hurtful behavior.
When the object of the prank or joke doesn't respond positively or in the way the jokester wanted them to, they're often shamed for "not taking a joke." There may even be retaliation in the form of doubling down on the original prank. This kind of behavior disregards the person's painful feelings and expresses a disrespect that is truly contrary to the way Jesus treated others.
Take a Step Back
"For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" —Galatians 5:14 (NLT)
When we're considering playing pranks or jokes on someone else, we need to ask ourselves first if this is something we'd appreciate if it was done to us (Luke 6:31). And if the answer is "Sure!" then we need to consider the perspective of the person we want to prank next. Would they truly appreciate it—considering their circumstances, personality, and any sensitivities?
Being Christlike means loving others just as much as we love ourselves (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:10). We ought to make a practice of valuing others, treating them kindly, and exercising self-control over our impulses (Galatians 5:22-23). Those who are loved by God should respond by loving others completely.
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TL;DR
When we're considering playing pranks or jokes on someone else, we need to ask ourselves first if this is something we'd appreciate if it was done to us (Luke 6:31). And if the answer is "Sure!" then we need to consider the perspective of the person we want to prank next. Being Christlike means loving others just as much as we love ourselves (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:10). We ought to make a practice of valuing others, treating them kindly, and exercising self-control over our impulses (Galatians 5:22-23).
Writer & Managing Editor: Catiana (Cat)
Cat is the web producer and managing editor of 412teens.org. She is known as "412teens" on the 412teens Discord. She loves audiobooks, feeding the people she cares about, and using Christmas lights to illuminate a room. When Cat is not cooking, gardening, or practicing creativity, she enjoys spending time with her two adult kids, six socially-awkward cats, and her amazing friend-amily.
