Just Joking?

I was doing my devotional this morning before the day really got going and I came across an interesting verse.

~Proverbs 26:18-19 - Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking".~

"Wow" was my first thought. I had no idea that verse was even in the Bible! How many of you have a friend like this -or you have been the friend who does this-, someone who says something really mean or inappropriate and then follows it up with "I was only joking!"? Do we always believe that person from there on out? I know growing up I learned that there is a little truth behind ever insult.

This really struck me, because how many of us do it? I know I have at some points. Sometimes I really am just joking, at other times I say it just so they don't think I mean it. I'll admit it, its something I'm not really proud of doing. But if everyone is honest with themselves, everyone has done it before.

So here's a challenge. Try speaking just truthful things to people! Now don't be mean about it. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" certainly holds true in this place. But try not to be the person who goes around covering themselves with "just joking".

~Proverbs 26:18-19 - Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking".~