Proverbs 26:18-19 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
Insight and Highlight
God loves us to merry, happy, and be joyful.
God however warns about those who disguise with their lips yet speak fairly to impress you. Though they make you laugh, they are deceitful,
Prov 26:24-25 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation?
Scripture Commentaries
God wants us to delight ourselves in laughter.
He gave Sarah reasons to laugh: Gen 21:6: And Sarah declared, ‘God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.
Prov 17:22 says A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
He delights in our gathering to feast:
Eccl 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
God laughs in derision over the foolish plans of man, so the bible records God laughing, Ps 2:4, 59:8.
He does so, not joking about sin or laughing at us but warning the sinner because the result will not be pleasant. Psalm 37:13, says The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
God's laughter is a feeling of pain yet saying
there is nothing ultimately to be apprehended from the wicked and their designs, for his overthrow is certain.
We must never derive joy in making people laugh at sin. Sin is no joke to the God who gave His One and Only Son to die.
God never mocks or laughs at sin.
Jokes make laughter. Laughter is good.
Make no joke of sin or people. Do not derive being jovially good while you make others bad.
Though the "....the one who rules in heaven laughs.” Psalm 2:4.
His joy is to ".....once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21.
Be of a merry heart and let not your tongue utter wounds, Prov 26:22.
Thrive to end the strife, Prov 26:20,
Hold back your tongue, be a problem solver, meddle not in matters that you are not called into or that you cannot solve. Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Remorse corner
Let not your tongue burn, be fiery, be smooth to deceive with fair words to impress people.
Prov 26: 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Call to Word action
God wants a happy heart to see life as a continual feast
Proverbs 15:15: For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
The Christian clarion duty
Eccl 8:15: So I recommend having fun because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.
Prayer ( ref Prov 15:13, 17:22, 26:20)
Lord, help me to utter joy into people's lives, let me make faces glad, cheerful, and happy.
Let me not kindle strife but make strife to cease, in Jesus name
Good morning all and have a blessed day.
God bless you.