One minute read.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34,Titus 3:1-15, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 26:18-19
Daily Verse: “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” Prov. 26:18-19
Deceptive speech.
Joking with someone has dangerous aspects. Done with mean intentions, deceiving someone out of jest can cause serious harm. Irresponsible words hurt people, although the jokester thinks it fun. God’s not against joking, but know your audience.
One night out with the girls, I shared a personal revelation about myself. As a child, I misinterpreted some of the things said to me and thought myself worthless. In other words, no one cared about what I had to say. Immediately after sharing, a friend joked, “And we don’t want to hear it now,” then started laughing.
She hurt me deeply. Sharing with the group took courage; her words reinforced the lie, causing me to stumble. Quickly, I realized deep conversations made her uncomfortable and let it go. But the moment stung.
Words carry so much weight; they change worlds. Uplifting and encouraging words cause people to blossom. Deceptive and mean words cause people to wither. Choose your words wisely and bring life to others.
Lord, forgive us our ill-spoken words that hurt others. Please help us use life-giving language all the time. Let our words build others up, not tear them down. IJNIP. Amen
