Fool!

March 29, 2022 (Tuesday)

 

Jesus warned us not to call anyone a fool (see Matthew 5:22). One of the reasons is that “fool” is a technical word. To understand the meaning, go back to Psalm 53:1, “Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!” [NLT]

 

I do not believe David is talking about an atheist. This verse is about someone who reasons away the existence of God because of their behavior. There are three points to this behavior: corruption, evil deeds, and an inability to do good. Possibly, what David is describing is a psychopath. Theologically, this person can be described as a reprobate (someone who is predestined to damnation).

 

See the problem? When we exclude the possibility that someone can be saved, we judge them. We take the place of God. However, it should concern us when we meet those who have no sense of guilt or shame. When someone places themselves above others and the law, the potential for evil grows quickly. When this happens, people suffer. When such a person has power, they can join the ranks of the worst of the worst.

 

Before we get to high on our own goodness, David continues, “God looks down from heaven on humans to see if anyone is wise, to see if anyone seeks God. But all have turned away. Everyone is corrupt. No one does good— not even one person!’” [Psalm 53:2 – 3 CEB] We are all universally condemned (see Romans 3:10 – 20). In some ways, we are all fools. We may, in the back of our mind, know God exists but we charge ahead with our sinful ways as if God does not exist.

 

The natural consequences of our corrupt nature are three-fold, according to Psalm 53:4–5a. “Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to God. Terror will grip them, terror like they have never known before.” [NLT] The inability to learn constructively leads us down the wrong path. Our sinful nature will use other people for our own gain or pleasure, even if it means destroying them. Fear will be an irrational motivation.

 

David has just described the human condition. Left unchecked, we will plunge this world into madness. I do not think it is a coincidence that the person who wrote “God is dead” (Nietzsche) descended into insanity. Without Jesus, who did die and rise from the dead, there is no hope for our souls, the world, or the darkness of insanity that has gripped this world.