Zingers

"As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?"

Proverbs 26:18-19

Webster defines a zinger as:  something causing or meant to cause interest, surprise, or shock.  A pointed witty remark or retort.

I was 'zinged' yesterday.  In the last place I should expect to be zinged, I fell victim of a sarcastic remark that ended with the person saying, "I'm just kidding."

It didn't feel like they were just kidding.  In fact, I believe that they wanted to hurt me but quickly wrapped up their sinful wit with laughter.

Now, I'm all for good fun.  I think it's important to be able to laugh at ourselves, after all, humans are funny people.  I even grew up in a very sarcastic family where we labeled, 'Sarcasm as another word for love.'  But this person wanted to say something mean and call it a joke.

I immediately thought of Proverbs 26.  These two verses describe this type of a person as a 'mad man.'  A berserk archer, who is a troublemaker.  He deceives his neighbor but tries to avoid being accused of being a troublemaker by saying he was only joking.

Friend-that is bad humor and nothing to laugh about.  Deception and evil speaking are like a deadly arrow, and when it hits its mark, damage has already been done.

On the flip side, I can look back and remember times when I was the zinger.  I wanted to set somebody straight about something, so I wrapped up a little truth in comedy and shot my arrow straight to their heart.

God forgive me.

What about you?  Have you been 'zinged?'  Or do you tend to be the 'zinger?'

If you want to shoot arrows...

            shoot arrows of mercy...

                        But that's just me!