July 10
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Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says “I was only joking.” – Proverbs 26:17-18 (NLT)
ON USING JOKES
Those who are afraid to confront may use jokes
They have no idea that it is deadly and it can hurt
A madman shooting a deadly weapon is damaging
It is like someone lying to a friend saying “I was only joking.”
When you use jokes to someone just think that it can be fatal
It may be a way of covering up for your inability to be truthful
When you believe in truth, jokes have no place in your mouth
You will choose to be open and be able to speak it out.
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I knew someone who would always say a sarcastic remarks or criticize others. When he is confronted by someone bold enough to tell him that he is hurtful with his statement, he will weave out of it by saying “I was only joking.” He made fun of me one day about a fear that I was experiencing. He actually laughed and sneered at how trivial my fear was. I was appalled by the way he minimized my experience even though he knew the source of my fear. I told him how hurt I was and he said “I was only joking.” Jokes are damaging when it hurts someone else’s feelings and character.
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PRAYER
Lord, convict those who use jokes to hurt others.
REFLECTION
Did Jesus ever joked and made fun of someone? How can jokes be damaging?
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