“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”…”
When I was young, my mom often quoted Matthew 5:22, which states: ”…whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”. So, I want to be careful here…But by God’s definition we seem to have fools in our midst.
When I first read this verse, I thought of the outspoken atheists….The University Professors and politicians who enjoy asserting that their intellect has revealed that God does not exist. I assumed this verse was for them as they clearly fit this definition of a fool.
However, it dawned on me that while I don’t say “there is no God” with my mouth – there are times that I live like that is what I believe.
According to the verse – fools say there is no God “in their heart”- and I think that is an important phrase. Apparently, I don’t have to say it out loud. If my heart allows me to live like there is no God, then I qualify as a fool, even if my words say otherwise.
It is hypocritical that my first thoughts were not of my own shortcomings …My own rebellion should always be my first focus, because that is what I can change.
If I intend to walk in the wisdom of God, I must become wise and discerning. I must boldly stand against the arguments of fools. To effectively do that, I must learn to recognize a fool when I see one…even if he is in the mirror.
God is the Supreme Judge, and though I have been found guilty - He has paid my debt. Now I am to walk humbly with Him continually acknowledging His existence and power…
So, this morning I will first endeavor to remove the splinter from my own eye so that I may see clearly enough to help my brother out of his own folly. And the next time I read about what a fool is, I will first make sure I don’t fit the description - then I will try to help those who do, find their way to the loving Father who has redeemed me from the madness of this world.
“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'” - C. S. Lewis
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