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18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, {firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks}
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
How little does the thoughtless man consider the misery which his wantonness occasions to others! He bears no malice. He indulges only the pure love of mischief. He carries on a scheme of imposition as harmless play. His companions compliment him upon his adroitness, and join in the laugh of triumph over the victim of his cruel jest. But “sporting with their own deceivings” (2 Peter 2:13) is a black mark of ungodliness. What the man calls sport (Chapter 10:23), is the madman, scattering murderous mischief — firebrands, arrows and death. What are smoothly called ‘practical jokes’ — such as are practiced at school, or even at college — come under this awful charge. ‘There is little difference in this case betwixt fraud and fury. He that purposely deceives his neighbor, under color of a jest, is no less prejudicial to him than a lunatic, that doth wrong out of frenzy and distemper.’† Yet this solemn line of distinction is drawn. The madman is irresponsible for his actions; the deceiver is accountable to God and his fellow-creatures. ‘He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest; or his sin will be his ruin.’†
‘What hath a Christian’ — saith Bernard — ‘to do with jesting?’ Let him practically observe the wholesome caution against it, as “not convenient.” (Ephesians 5:4.) Let him cultivate the valuable graces of seriousness, consideration, and self-discipline. Let him study his Master's image, embodying both the spirit and the rules of his gospel.
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