Friday, 21st July 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: WATCH YOUR JOKES
THEME SCRIPTURE: “The one who is caught lying to his friend and says ‘I didn’t mean it, I was only joking,’ can be compared to a madman randomly shooting off deadly weapons.” – Proverbs 26:18-19
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Is it not alright to jokingly lie?
- Why is the one who jokes with his friend with lies is as a mad man?
The Hebrew rendition of a word spoken is ‘dabar’. ‘Dabar’, although simply rendered as words, was regarded by the Hebrews as ‘an event initiated by speaking’. Thus, anytime we speak, those words initiate an event. Our words are like codes that create incidents. This is one reason why scripture forbids that corrupt words should proceed out of the mouth of the Christian (Eph 4:29). Rather, we should speak words of grace.
In scripture, beloved, we find God’s words of instructions for our lives, and by instructions do we all live.
When we wake up every morning, we are either responding to the instructions of our body or feelings, work, or our dreams, or God’s instructions. However, it is God’s commandment that is truly a lamp, and His law is a light. But reproofs of God’s instructions are the way of life (Prov 6:23). One important reproof of instruction that God’s word gives to us is to watch our jokes.
The reason is this: the man who plays with jokes is playing with a deadly instrument. Either he will hurt himself or his friend.
Beloved, it might have occurred to you many times that it doesn’t hurt a fly to use deception, such as April Fool, to joke at the expense of your friend or neighbour. By telling a lie, reporting a false incident concerning your neighbour, cheating him or hiding his goods to put him in distress, etc., and then going ahead to enjoy seeing your neighbour in distress, anguish, confusion, or wasting his time, you're like a fool or madman playing with a gun or grenade and saying to yourself, “It’s really exciting.” See, the things we joke about or joke with, are proof of the condition of our hearts. If we joke with nudity, it is a malady in our hearts; with dirty words, so are our hearts. A good man, out of the treasure of the heart brings forth good things (Matt 12:35).
The greatest danger that befalls man comes from where it should least come: from man himself.
Lions fight not with lions; serpents spend not their venom on serpents; but man is the main cause of mischief to his own kind. God hath hewn us all out of one rock, tempered all our bodies of one clay, and livened our souls with one breath. We have one greater reason of love and unity observed than all the rest. For whereas God made not all angels out of one angel, nor all beasts out of the great behemoth, nor all fishes out of the huge leviathan, nor all birds out of the majestical eagle, yet he made all men of one man, and all Christians out of one Christ. If we should joke, why not with gracious and edifying words, words of blessings, expectation of miracles rather than deception, lies, insults, or mischief? Remember—every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment (Matt 12:36). Thus, whoever shall say to his brother, Raca,” shall be in danger of the council; but whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be in danger of hellfire (Matt 5:22). Let’s watch our jokes. Remain blessed.
FURTHER READING – Ephesians 4:29
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Review the things you love to joke about.
- Assess whether you are joking about the right things
CONFESSION
Eternal Father, thank you for the power in my mouth. I choose to speak life and grace into the lives of those around me. I am a dispenser of God’s goodness only. I affirm that my confessions are greater and superior because I am of God. Hallelujah!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Samuel 6; Jeremiah 11; Matthew 22
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