What is a joke, really...

Heads up, this post is more of a really short thought/rant. 

~~~ 

I honestly despise when people joke.

But what is a joke, really... Other than an excuse to lie, and mislead people who are trusting the garbage coming out of the month of the other person. What I mean by joke, in this case, is when someone tells you a story which isn't at all true - yet believable - but they don't say it's not true until they've convinced you that it is.

But I guess this is one of my downfalls, I trust too much.

Being a person of honesty and integrity, or at least this is my goal in everything I do, I expect others to at least have some of the same standards. In which, if someone asks you if you're joking, you would actually say "yes, i'm joking", and not carry on with the joke until your heart hurts.

"Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]." 

Ephesians 4:29 AMP

I don't know why I've been blessed to face two of these scenarios in the last two weeks, but I guess I have to choose my friends more wisely or watch what I say. Because it makes me think about how I can impact those in conversation with me...

"Words kill, words give life; 

they're either poison or fruit - you choose."

Proverbs 18:21 MSG