“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin,” Proverbs 13:3.

As most of you know, I like to kid, maybe a little too much. As my daughters have said, “Dad, a little goes a long way.” It’s true; you can only put so much lipstick on a pig before it gets messy! In fact, it can lead to ruin.

Whether the latest campaign ruckus was an innocent slip or an intentional jab, it helps those of us in leadership to recognize some vital truths.

Truth #1

No one should ever be the target of a ‘cheap shot’. Even though our enemies mock us, tit for tat does not accomplish the purposes of a Holy God. We want to win them not be like them.

Truth #2

Though humor can be good, demeaning someone is never good. It is one thing to kid someone without embarrassing or belittling him or her; it is another thing, whether in pubic or private, to make them seem foolish. In cases like this, the best humor is self-deprecating. Let them laugh with you, even at you.

Truth #3

Jokes, like a good illustration, can be a handle that helps your listeners carry the message home with them. However, too many ‘handles’ make for an odd suitcase (sermon). You are not an entertainer. You are a mouthpiece of the Living God and His Living Word. Remember, He is the author of humor, but He is not a comedian.

When it comes to putting lipstick on a pig, I need help. I am glad God made me, me. However, I want to be the ‘new’ me with my wit under His control.