July 18, 2026 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs

Proverbs 26:18  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Deceit in any venue whether in malice or in pleasure causing pain, discomfort, or loss on the part of the victim, is wrong. To cast fire brands and arrows is akin to assaulting a castle with burning brands and arrows to cause harm and destruction inside the walls.

God says the man who deceives his neighbour and causes such harm and then laughs it off and says, “I was just kidding” or “We were just having fun we really did not mean that,” is like the mad man.

Proverbs 3:29  Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

Years ago when living in Germany, I was told about this great ice cream speciality called spaghetti ice. It was ice cream squeezed through a sieve making it look like spaghetti. The topping was strawberries and cream and shredded coconut. It looked like a plate of spaghetti.

However, what they did not tell me was the spaghetti maintained its shape because it was saturated with alcohol. Normally spaghetti ice would be too thin and melt before it could be presented or eaten so alcohol was used to keep it cold without melting.

We were deceived. Because we are born-again believers and know drinking alcohol is wrong we are intentionally deceived as a joke. The joke did not cause physical damage or harm, it did cause us consternation. I’m sure those who devised and perpetrated such were amused and probably said, “we were just kidding.” (Eventually we found spaghetti ice without alcohol, it was delicious.)

The point is this, it’s not right to deceive your neighbour or friend or anyone for amusement or sport. It’s like casting fire brands and arrows and eventually, when escalated, death.

Proverbs 26:18  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

You will never find the Lord Jesus Christ using humour to deceive or cause sport to another person. Jesus always spoke the truth in righteousness.

The Apostle Paul gives great encouragement in this area of speaking truth.

1 Thessalonians 2:1  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Christian, God admonishes us to use honest, good, and righteous words when dealing with others. Deceit is out of the equation.

Jesus will never deceive you, the devil will always deceive you; he will tell you sin is ok and watch you destroy yourself. (John 8:44) Do you know the difference?

Proverbs 26:18  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook