No Joke

Proverbs 26:18-19

18 Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows

19 is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

Have you ever told someone something that wasn't true and then covered it up with the excuse that it was just a joke?

We often say things without thinking about the effect our words will have on people. When they get upset over it we try to cover it up and say we didn't mean it. The simple fact is that a lie is a lie and lies will hurt everyone involved. We should say what we mean and mean what we say. How hard can that be?

The consequences of these actions can be likened to a fire. A fiery arrow burns where it lands, and you can put out the flame, but the damage is done. It leaves a singe mark and pain. When you really think about it, it's no joke!

A Waste of Mind

Proverbs 17:27-28

27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

How many times have you said something and as soon as it left your mouth you wished you never said it?

We say a lot of things in anger or react rashly to a situation by speaking our whole mind when we should have weighed all the facts. We all have a hair trigger mechanism in us that is just waiting to go off because we would rather react quickly to a situation than to offer a measured response to it.

Sometimes it's better to be quiet and think about it than to speak at all. After all, our mind is a terrible thing to waste.

What is in your heart?

Proverbs 21:2-3

2 All a man's way seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

How many time have you done something that's a good thing but your motive wasn't right? Like offering your help to someone and really hoping that they will say no, or acting concerned about their problems only to talk about them behind their back.

God knows our thoughts and motives. We can do good things and pat ourselves on the back for it, but are we doing the right things?

It's hard to admit it when we're wrong but God wants us to do just that, to do the right thing with the right attitude. This will allow us to be at peace with Him and with others. To understand that this life we live is about Him is a big step in the right direction.