Offensive Christians

Encouraging Christians and the Church to go on the Offense

It’s Just a Joke…

Posted on | June 30, 2008 | 3 Comments

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”    Proverbs 26:18-19

I think that’s my new life verse. I have this tendency to joke around by telling lies and then quickly repudiating them. It gets some laughs and is in keeping with a lot of the humour we see today – But is it biblical?  This verse shows me that it is not.  Henry commented about this verse:

Am not I in sport? He that sins in just must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin. Truth is too valuable a thing to be sold for a jest, and so is the reputation of our neighbour. By lying and slandering in jest men learn themselves, and teach others, to lie and slander in earnest; and a false report, raised in mirth, may be spread in malice; besides, if a man may tell a lie to make himself merry, why not to make himself rich, and so truth quite perishes, and men teach their tongues to tell lies, Jer_9:5. (Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity) If men would consider that a lie comes from the devil, and brings to hell-fire, surely that would spoil the sport of it; it is casting arrows and death to themselves.
Whoa. That’s me playing with fire. What do you think? I think I need prayer to change this sinful habit. Any comments?

Category: The War Within
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Comments

3 Responses to “It’s Just a Joke…”

  1. Somebody's Mimi
    July 1st, 2008 @ 3:49 pm

    I think most people appreciate your humor and we know you are not joking to hurt someone. Jokes are not considered lies. I’m sure you would never lie to your neighbor, friends, or family. Jokes and humor are good… lying is not. You do know the difference, right?

  2. Jesse
    July 6th, 2008 @ 8:58 am

    I had a nice chat with my daughter about this yesterday. Her playfriend comes up with some interesting “facts” and then calls them “fibs” when someone questions her. She’s five and is quickly learning that the well placed fib can get her out of tight spots and is under the impression that fibs aren’t really lies…so they’re okay. I think it starts small and, in too many cases, feeds into our culture that doesn’t value truthfulness.
    I’d be careful and watch to see if your children are picking up on your habit. Jesse

  3. Jesse
    July 6th, 2008 @ 5:35 pm

    Today’s sermon topic:

    Ephesians 5
    1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

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