SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1049

“Just Kidding”

Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18,19)

Has a ‘friend’ ever hurt you by telling a joke at your expense? Have you ever told a joke that hurt someone?

People are very quick to justify their words by saying ‘Just kidding’ in an attempt to laugh off the hurt feelings that they have caused others to have.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, (Matthew 12:36)

If you get real honest with yourself you will acknowledge that oftentimes there was a spark of your true feelings and biases as the catalyst behind the joking remark you made about someone else. God’s Word exhorts us to be kind toward others. Our hurtful jabs disguised as a joke are far from kind.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Is there conflict in your family, workplace, or church community? Are there unresolved hurt feelings that are kept hidden? Jokes and kidding remarks about someone’s physical appearance, clothing, ethnic heritage, age or intelligence can be the spark that sets off a raging fire of interpersonal conflict.

…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:5)

People can be very sensitive to certain aspects of themselves that may become the brunt of jokes. Some never outgrow this sensitivity. It is not for us to chide them stating that they need to grow up. It is for us to respect them enough to speak kindly and bring healing rather than hurt.

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

If you knowingly have hurt someone with your joking remarks go and ask them for forgiveness. Do not justify your statements – simply ask for forgiveness.

If more people would be cautious and choose their words carefully and if more people were of sufficient backbone to ask for forgiveness when they have wronged someone else than what a different world we would live in.

It has to start with somebody – why not you and me?

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)