Thought for Today

Proverbs 10:8  The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin . . . 14  The wise lay up knowledge, but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.  

Psalm 6:1  O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger, or discipline me in your wrath.

Matthew 5:22  But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.

Mark 14:4  But some were there who said to one another in anger, "Why was the ointment wasted in this way?  

I mentioned Matthew 5:22 in my sermon last week. I have been pondering (brooding? Obsessed with? Focused on?) it ever since. For me, Jesus’ words in the 5th chapter of Matthew’s gospel contain the best explanation of the impossibility of perfect obedience to the Law. However, I do sometimes get mad. When I do, I sometimes even lash out with harsh words, words that might (do?) hurt. Yes, I have even called someone “you fool.”

I’m wondering this morning, what did Jesus mean, what did the psalmist mean by that word ‘fool’? As I so often do, I did a search on my computer and found, “fool: (1) a person lacking in judgment or prudence; (2) a retainer formerly kept in great households to provide casual entertainment; (3) a person lacking in common powers of understanding or reason, one with a marked propensity or fondness for something; (4) a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard.” (merriam-webster.com) I’m fairly sure few of us ever use that word fool in terms of #2 or #4 . . . at least when we’re angry or lashing out.

My mother, like so many other mothers, taught me “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Although Mom was rarely wrong, she missed the truth of it on that one. Words can and do hurt. Words spoken can hurt those who hear them. Words not spoken can hurt those who need to hear them.

Jesus was not telling us that use of a single word, in Greek μωρέ  (moray), will condemn us in eternity. It’s not the word; it’s what lies behind that word. Matthew 5:22 gives us more context, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.'” Words spoken in anger can have the force of taking the life of the recipients of those words.

Christians know, as Paul wrote, “Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—” We know that it is not our words which save us from that “hell of fire.” It is our faith.

But our faith is more than mere words. Yet, words do matter. In any relationship, friendship, marriage, etc., words are important. They need not be eloquent or even extensive. Some of the most important, meaningful words which can be uttered in relationships are short, declarative sentences, e.g., “I do,” or “I love you,” or “I’m sorry,” and maybe especially “You’re right.”

Those short, simple sentences reflect the emotions and beliefs Jesus tried to convey to us with "Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Spoken with love, those short, simple, declarative sentences convey an incredible depth of understanding, maturity and love. Whether spoken to God or to others, I cannot imagine any situation where those words can hurt . . . sincerely and honestly spoken.

Being a fool is not the same as occasionally doing something foolish. All of us do occasionally act foolishly, say foolish words. Sometimes our foolishness is benign, resulting in little or no harm. Sometimes our foolishness is catastrophic, resulting in great harm. We truly do not need to test our foolishness. As individuals and as groups or nations, we would be better served by “I love you,” or “I’m sorry,” and maybe especially “You’re right.” Said to each other, to everyone, those words spoken honestly and sincerely do no harm and heal a great deal of any harm done before. Imagine a world where that were the case!

Stay safe, love God and love your neighbors, trust God,

Pastor Ray