40 Days of Words
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Words
Day 22|LYING TO A FRIEND | Prov 26:18-19
40 Days of Words
Day 22|LYING TO A FRIEND | Prov 26:18-19
LYING TO A FRIEND
Prov 26:18-19
“Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, ‘I was only joking.’”
When we were kids, we used to joke with one another, “kid-around,” and all in “good fun.” Unfortunately, one of the familiar games I remember from childhood was calling each other made-up names… none of which were true, but unfortunately, many of which imprinted in our minds and to some degree impacted us negatively.
But when we get older, things should change as we become more responsible and thoughtful about what we say to one another. We need to “Put away childish things,” as it says in 1 Corinthians 13.
Solomon, in these verses, is making the parallel of that of a “madman shooting a deadly weapon” to that of someone “lying to a friend.” As we’ve learned in this series of 40 Days of Words, words matter, words can hurt, cut, encourage, heal, discourage, and on and on, based on what has been said. Lying to a friend – even in jest – is NOT appropriate, so says the wise Solomon. And why not?
Because, just like our calling our childhood friends’ names (which were lies) was not appropriate (though we were too young to realize it), lying to someone – then or now – is also not appropriate. It can cause unseen hurts, scars, and bruises by beating them up at a deeper emotional, subconscious level.
As I was thinking about this, I was stuck with how MANY things in our busy 21st century lives works AGAINST our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness as it is.
“The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy.” (John 10:10)
There are enough challenges today for followers of Christ. Let’s ALL use our words to bless, encourage, and uplift.
Prayer: LORD, help me be slower to speak and consider everything that I say to someone else more carefully. Help me to use my words to bless others. Amen.
Prov 26:18-19
“Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, ‘I was only joking.’”
When we were kids, we used to joke with one another, “kid-around,” and all in “good fun.” Unfortunately, one of the familiar games I remember from childhood was calling each other made-up names… none of which were true, but unfortunately, many of which imprinted in our minds and to some degree impacted us negatively.
But when we get older, things should change as we become more responsible and thoughtful about what we say to one another. We need to “Put away childish things,” as it says in 1 Corinthians 13.
Solomon, in these verses, is making the parallel of that of a “madman shooting a deadly weapon” to that of someone “lying to a friend.” As we’ve learned in this series of 40 Days of Words, words matter, words can hurt, cut, encourage, heal, discourage, and on and on, based on what has been said. Lying to a friend – even in jest – is NOT appropriate, so says the wise Solomon. And why not?
Because, just like our calling our childhood friends’ names (which were lies) was not appropriate (though we were too young to realize it), lying to someone – then or now – is also not appropriate. It can cause unseen hurts, scars, and bruises by beating them up at a deeper emotional, subconscious level.
As I was thinking about this, I was stuck with how MANY things in our busy 21st century lives works AGAINST our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness as it is.
“The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy.” (John 10:10)
There are enough challenges today for followers of Christ. Let’s ALL use our words to bless, encourage, and uplift.
Prayer: LORD, help me be slower to speak and consider everything that I say to someone else more carefully. Help me to use my words to bless others. Amen.