Like a maniac shooting
flaming
arrows of death is one who deceives their
neighbor and says,
“I was only joking! ~ Proverbs 26:18-19.
Even in laughter the
heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. ~Proverbs 14:13
A terrible idea would not be well received if it were said
seriously and soberly, but disguised as a joke, people say and do stupid things
all the time. The “if your friends
jumped off a bridge, would you?” scenario comes to mind. Do you know how often people actually jump
off bridges with their friends, with serious consequences? People make light of the idea at first. Then, after a few beers (or a few dares)
their senses are dulled. Suddenly, what
once seemed like a laughable idea becomes a serious idea. Some people jump off bridges and never come
back, or get seriously injured in the process.
Now I don’t mean to be morbid, but I do hope to shed light on this
pervasive deception.
Here’s another one: take
the often used phrase “I’m going to kill (insert who), for (insert what).” A joke disguised as hyperbole
(exaggeration). Starts out innocuous
enough, doesn’t it?
“Just kidding” is a license to say whatever we want. “You are such a jerk…just kidding!” “I hate you…just kidding!” “Go “fight” yourself….just kidding!” “You’re not very good at that, are
you?....just kidding!” It’s really weird
when you start to think about it. And
yet, how often do we say (or hear) things like that without even giving it a
second thought?
Sarcasm says one thing, but means another. It is the opposite of integrity. It’s foolish, it’s jesting, and it’s
everywhere in our society today (including, until this writing, in my own
mouth). What we joke about ends up being
what we talk about. So what are we
saying? What do we say that’s not really
funny? (A lot!) What do we joke about that
secretly really bothers us? What’s
really at the heart of our jokes?
The truth is: words are important!
Ephesians 5 implores us to be followers of God as dear children and to
walk in love as Christ loved us.
Ephesians 5:4 warns us to avoid....filthiness… foolish talking…coarse jesting, which are not convenient, but encourages us, rather, to give thanks.
You may be thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding. Get a sense of humor!” I, too, would’ve scoffed at this post with
you just days ago. But the more I study
this, the more I see that I don’t want anything
to dilute the power of my words. Here’s
the reality: we don’t know what the
people in our lives are going through.
They may be dead serious when they couch something in a joke. If we respond with foolish talk and coarse
jesting, then we miss a golden opportunity to speak the truth in love. We miss the opportunity to see someone set
free from what binds them, because we missed the opportunity to speak one fitly
spoken word (Proverbs 25:11). That, my
friend, is no joke.
Above all, taking the
shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked. ~ Ephesians 6:16.
Whether you’re slinging those arrows or receiving them, I
hope we stop and take stock of what we are saying and hearing, take up the
shield of faith, and start speaking the truth in love. Now this is not a call to forgo a sense of
humor. I would hate that! This only means to put away foolish talk and coarse jesting. Foolish
means “lacking good sense; unwise.”
There is an entire universe of humor outside of foolish talk and coarse
jesting. I pray we employ a little
creativity and explore the depths of good humor. And rather than defending ourselves against those
flaming arrows with a “nu-uh” or “no, you are!” we can start disarming people
with our love. After all, no one has a
better sense of humor than our God:
He who sits in the
heavens laughs... Psalm 2:4
A joyful heart is good
medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
He will yet fill your
mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. Job 8:21
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you
upright in heart! Psalm 32:11
You make known to me
the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand
are pleasures forevermore. Psalm
16:11
Let your speech always
be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer
each person. Colossians 4:6
But the Lord laughs at
the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. Psalm 37:13
You have put more joy
in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. Psalm 4:7
The Lord
your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you
with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud
singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Blessed are you who
weep now, for you shall laugh. Luke
6:21
If a wise man has an
argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. Proverbs 29:9
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