S) "18 Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, 'Was I not joking?'"
Proverbs 26:18-19 (NASB)
O) Here's the thing about this verse - it's so old, but people simply do not change and this verse is still incredibly poignant today. All the time, you can hear some one being a jerk and then, when they realize they've offended a person or gone too far with their jest, they come back with something along the lines of, "I was just kidding!" It's a poor excuse that never justifies in the eyes of the offended person.
A) I think part of the reason this verse still stands out, even as I read it for the cajillionth time, is that this is the man I used to be. I used to be quite the jerk, and very sarcastic. So, I would be mean to people while disguising it as a joke. It's funny, though, because I really didn't care if people were offended for their sake. I made the excuse to ease my own conscience - which never really worked. It was a prideful response, along the lines of, "Clearly you are the one with the issue here, not me." As it is now, I genuinely make jokes that are intended to be funny and not offend, but sometimes they do offend. In that case now, I no longer respond by saying, "It was a joke!" but instead, I simply humble myself and apologize.
P) Father, You have done great works in me, breaking down my pride to realize my guilt. Then You took that guilt and put it on Your Son, when I accepted Your grace and mercy. It still baffles me. Holy Spirit, I know sometimes I'm simply not aware of how my comments might come accross to people, and I know I offend by sincere accident. Help me in two ways, God. First, help me realize ahead of time, with discernment, what will offend - so I can bite my tongue. Second, when I realize an offense, guide me to quickly and effectively apologize in genuine humility. I want to heal, not harm. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) I think part of the reason this verse still stands out, even as I read it for the cajillionth time, is that this is the man I used to be. I used to be quite the jerk, and very sarcastic. So, I would be mean to people while disguising it as a joke. It's funny, though, because I really didn't care if people were offended for their sake. I made the excuse to ease my own conscience - which never really worked. It was a prideful response, along the lines of, "Clearly you are the one with the issue here, not me." As it is now, I genuinely make jokes that are intended to be funny and not offend, but sometimes they do offend. In that case now, I no longer respond by saying, "It was a joke!" but instead, I simply humble myself and apologize.
P) Father, You have done great works in me, breaking down my pride to realize my guilt. Then You took that guilt and put it on Your Son, when I accepted Your grace and mercy. It still baffles me. Holy Spirit, I know sometimes I'm simply not aware of how my comments might come accross to people, and I know I offend by sincere accident. Help me in two ways, God. First, help me realize ahead of time, with discernment, what will offend - so I can bite my tongue. Second, when I realize an offense, guide me to quickly and effectively apologize in genuine humility. I want to heal, not harm. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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