JUST JOKING

By Ryan Hicks

How many times have you seen people, even professed Christians, saying something which was obviously not true and then saying, "Just joking?" It is unfortunate, but many that name the name of Christ participate in this most foolish of activities. It is nothing more than a form of lying disguised as light-hearted and playful, as Satan is so subtlety telling those that choose to do this.

Proverbs 26:18-19
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

"Am not I in sport?" is the equivalent of our modern "I am just joking." Actually, the King James Bible translators noted on this verse a definition for "in sport" would also be "joking." Whether one says, "I am just in sport; I am just kidding; I am just joking; Just joshing you; Just pulling your chain; or any other phrase like that, the Scripture says you are deceiving your neighbor and are "as a mad man" or "crazy person."

Let your resolve be set today to never partake of this foolish, but to speak honestly and with integrity. Do not let your lips be used to lie, even if the world views your "joking" as being acceptable. You are to "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing" (2 Corinthians 6:17). Can you stand before God and say that your speech reflects that of a person that is separate from sinners and not worldly?

Also see my article on Idle Words, Foolish Talk, And Jesting