Admonition

Are we careful in our verbal interactions with each other?  Should we take more thought before we speak?  Have you heard someone make an assertion, probably not complimentary, then hastily follow it up with "Just kidding"?  Do you suspect that the speaker said what he really meant, but tried to cover with the disclaimer?

What does scripture teach us about this?  Proverbs 26:18,19:

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

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? (KJV)

or,

Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.” (New Living Translation)

and in the words of Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 5:27:
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

• Your tongue.  Watch it.
• Be fair; be kind.  Be truthful.