“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
Devotional Thought For The Day
There are people who actually do destructive and hurtful things in jest, thinking that their behavior is funny and should be taken as mere “joking.” I suspect that most of us may have crossed this line a time or two, not realizing just how painful our attempts at humor have been to others. There are others who are “practiced” enough at lying that they take great delight in deceiving others – thinking that this also is just humorous. We may have also done the same a time or two – but I have to say that when we are on the other end, the one being deceived, there is seldom much humor in it. And there is an effect to such deceptions in how we view the perpetrator – a degree of suspicion attaches to whatever else they may tell us, and a loss of respect for their word. Perhaps worst are those who are actually attempting to deceive and victimize others, but when confronted with the truth attempt to elude consequences by trying to turn the whole matter into a joke. These circumstances perhaps provide relief for some, but for others such skullduggery kindles an angry fire that cries for punishment and vengeance against the villain. The sanity of such people is called into question, for who would ignite such anger and ire and then try to turn it into a joke?
Humor is a gift of God, and He uses irony often in His Word. However, His humor never involves deception. He takes language, which is also one His most wonderful gifts to us, very seriously and bids us to do the same. We understand the destructive nature of deception – whether intentional or not, that it is incompatible with love, that love always rejoices with the truth [1 Cor. 13:6]. So even as we are encouraged always to love one another, so we also are encouraged always to be “speaking the truth in love” [Eph. 4:15]. That certain cults and sects would utilize “deception” to lure people into their web and into spiritual death reveals the depths of their wickedness and darkness – and produces great indignation and repugnance among decent people [and God!]. Likewise, that certain theologians within the visible “church” would cast aspersion on the truthfulness of God’s Word, the Bible, or would use intellect and scholarship in attempting to twist and pervert what Holy Scripture actually teaches, is a treachery and darkness that is difficult to fathom – but this goes on every day and is often the principle content of many “published” works. Obviously, such perversion is repugnant to God and calls down His wrath and punishment – and it should create the same fiery indignation in us. It represents a rather pointed and intense hatred of God and mankind. Lord, have mercy!
Where we have sinned in our use of language, regardless of our intentions, and have done harm and damage to others, there is need for repentance, honest repentance which grasps the hurtfulness and hatefulness and wretchedness of our deceptions. When we confess these sins to our heavenly Father He is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:9] If we take this His great love for us seriously, and do not consider Him a mere jokester to be trifled with, then His love and His truthfulness will compel us to greater love, including an aversion to all lying and untruthfulness and error, especially that which attempts to pervert His Word and mislead others. There will be no escape for those who face God for their lying and deception, if they try to claim that they were just “joking.” He knows what is in our hearts and He will not be deceived. So let our repentance be real and genuine, and our faith and trust in His Word utterly serious, that the healing power of His love and His Spirit might make us fit and worthy instruments of His blessedness and peace.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, you know well the laziness, the evil humor, and the wickedness that inheres in our sinful nature, so that we are liable to misusing language and even Your Word. Grant healing to those whom we have harmed, through the knowledge of Your love and compassion. Grant forgiveness to us and greater faith, that we may become more zealous for truth and more devoted to Your Word. Keep us from the insanity of deceiving others, and protect us from the insidious deceptions that others foist upon us. Grant us joy, safety, and peace in the truth of Your gracious and loving Word. Amen.