Posted on 10/17/2024 11:21:58 AM PDT by CharlesOConnell
Answer: Risk of Tempting Dispair, (Causing Doubt One Can Become a Child of God), Leading Others to Commit the Unforgiveable Sin.
Good advice to conflict prone people is, "Most People Aren't Against You, They're Just For Themselves".
But the main exception is, people who are defective, who know they are, who have personality flaws not their fault, but who haven't achieved the adjustment of looking squarely at the ugly picture in the mirror, and acknowleding, "I am a less than perfect specimen (and I need God's mercy every day").
So we deny reality, in the face they can't see as they present it to everyone else.
Modern psychology says "we objectify others but subjectify ourselves".
But Jesus, addressing fishermen and peasants, had a much pithier way of expressing it:
"Why are you bothered by the speck in your brother's eye when you don't notice the 2x4 in your own eye?"
So we warped, if not twisted sisters, the exception to the rule "Most People Aren't Against You, They're Just For Themselves", we really do know we're bent, and we are looking for trouble--and are sure to find it--to deflect from acknowleding our own flaws and project them onto others, to escape the unreconciled pain of our imperfections.
What better target, as we shield ourselves behind the lies of our "normality" and superiority, than some poor other little flawed person whom, by some strange coincidence, we always have our radar out to maximum range to detect?
Here let us quote our Blessed Lord who became the most abandoned and reviled, a virtual leper on the cross:
Matthew 5:21 You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. 22 But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; 24 Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. 25 Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.
The targets of our deflection are very vulnerable, to our service to satan, getting the little ones to doubt they are created in the image and likeness of God, to doubt we can become daughters and sons of God, to doubt that God can forgive any sin even if we were Hitler.
Our calling them "fool" is tempting them to despair of the Holy Spirit.
God does not abandon them. "A bruised reed He shall not break; a smoking wick He shall not quench." Isaiah 42:3. Matthew 12:20.
And what use is such habitual nastiness?
It is a positive vice, against a less-known virtue:
Vindication is the good habit of a man who seeks to uphold Justice by recognizing just and unjust acts, defending and encouraging the innocent and those who do good against unjust attack and charitably confronting those who do evil, supporting the rule of law/justice by holding evil-doers to account and ensuring just punishment (Vengeance) when necessary and defending the innocent and weak. The man who charitably exercises the virtue of Vindication helps maintain peace and seeks to call sinners to conversion by holding them to account for their evil against other.
The opposing ... vice of Cruelty/Brutality by which punishment exceeds the crime in amount or type, often with a sadistic and perverse pleasure at the suffering of others or self-righteousness. The man who fails in Vindication may experience false self-righteous pleasure but gravely sins against others by under or over responding to evil.
Because He’s GOD and he calls ‘em as He sees ‘em.
I don’t think He’s harsh about it.
He tells the truth and if people don’t like it or can’t handle it, that’s on them. The label of *harsh* is man’s interpretation of Jesus’ words and since no one was there to hear it, nobody knows what kind of demeanor He had when He said it. They’re guessing or projecting.
That said, if Jesus calls someone a fool, then they really are one.
And rereading it, I can see why He comes down on people for us calling each other fools. We don’t know enough about anyone or any thing to make that kind of judgment. We only see the surface while He sees the whole picture.
Bkmk
Jesus desperately is trying to save people from Hell. He has limited time before he gets crucified. We live in a world where people don’t believe in Hell and have the vague idea that everyone gets eternal rest. Jesus knows better. He knows he better get people’s attention so they don’t end up in eternal torment.
So the wording is strong, insulting, disturbing.
Thats just how it is.
Well, in his defense, he never actually met a democrat.
Too bad for us that is construed as bullying and will get us canceled or jailed.
Matthew 5:21 You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. 22 But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without cause, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; 24 Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. 25 Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.
Usually I'm not picky about English translations. But this one leaves out the Greek word "eike" in verse 22, which means "without cause". To verify, go to https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/matthew/5-22.html, in the settings gear turn on the Strong's Numbers to turns most of the words into hyperlinks. Click on each word to bring up the original Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic words and their meanings (and the concordance of where that word is used elsewhere in the Bible).
My take: it's okay to get angry with someone if there's a good reason to. But don't go too far on that tangent. Why? Well, verse 21 says don't kill him -- so don't be so angry with someone that you kill him. And verses 23-26 say to make amends to people you've wronged. Thus, if you have a reason to be mad at someone, have room in your heart for that person to make amends (don't forever condemn him). Likewise, if someone has reason to be mad at you, don't think of yourself as forever bad with no possible method of redemption (don't condemn yourself). Try to make amends.
As much as we abominate our political and societal enemies, we should much more pray for their repentance and conversion.
Love your enemies, pray for your persecutors, do good to those who despitefully use you.
It seems relevant to note the distinction between calling a specific, named man or woman foolish and calling a thought, statement or action foolish.
“Well, in his defense, he never actually met a democrat.”
I admit, this made me laugh out loud. I’ll need to go to confessions for this one.
So by calling someone a 'fool' means they are unbelievers. They as well as the caller don't do good. Not a human's call.
But it's so hard.
Pretty sure both of the Herods were democrats
Raca - This is a Syriac word, expressive of great contempt. It comes from a verb signifying to be empty, vain; and hence, as a word of contempt, denotes senseless, stupid, shallow-brains. Jesus teaches here that to use such words is a violation of the spirit of the sixth commandment, and if indulged, may lead to a more open and dreadful infraction of that law. Children should learn that to use such words is highly offensive to God, for we must give an account for every idle word which we speak in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36).
Thou fool - This term expressed more than want of wisdom. It was expressive of the highest guilt (from the Mounce Dictionary - a fool in senseless wickedness). It had been commonly used to denote those who were idolaters (Deuteronomy 22:21), and also one who is guilty of great crimes (Joshua 7:15; Psalm 14:1).
I think this helps explains Jesus' words. It also helps to know that Jesus was speaking about the religious leaders of Israel when he says these words. I think our religious leaders ought to take note of this passage.
Would you rather see < insert name of abominable enemy > burning in Hell, or repentant and converted away from his/her/its/xer/ze evil ways?
I think the Christian response is to prefer the enemy’s repentance, conversion, and salvation over his (seemingly likely) damnation. And that is what it means, IMO, to love one’s enemies.
See what I mean? It’s hard.
I didn’t say it’s easy.
I didn’t either.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.