Ray Comfort says:
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1 (NIV)
"Of course, I wouldn't point at someone and say that they are a fool..."
JDiver charges:
"And yet that is exactly what you [Ray Comfort] are doing."
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:22 (KJV)
Let's examine JDiver's charge against Ray more closely. The inclusion of this particular verse (Matthew 5:22) is curious. Does this verse really speak to the charge he levies against Ray?
Is Jesus really saying that preaching the truth of God's word puts a man "in danger of the fire of hell"?
I suggest we back up one verse, for some context. This helps us better understand what Jesus is actually saying. Here's the verse immediately before it:
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'" Matthew 5:21 (NIV)
Jesus is teaching (here on his first preaching circuit) to listeners who already know the ten commandments handed down to Moses, and they have been taught the consequence of violating the commandment, God's judgment.
So this is not a new teaching. This is what his listeners already learned from the religious leaders. Jesus point is simple: they already know the sixth commandment.
"But I tell you ..."
Jesus now tells his listeners that what follows is not familiar to them. The teaching that follows is different from what they already know.
"... that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."
The commandment says "do not murder". Now Jesus is saying "do not be angry with a brother". He says it's not necessary to carry through with the ACTION of murder to be guilty. Because what a man THINKS (not just what he DOES) finds him guilty of breaking the commandment.
The Message paraphrases it pretty clearly:
"I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder."
Jesus takes the law from shadow to substance. He fills out the law, to its fuller meaning, illuminating deeper truth.
It's not just the outward actions of a man that violate the commandment; it's the condition of a man's heart that demands a verdict.
Jesus calls attention to an important truth: anger can entail the desire damage or destroy another person. The act of murder is preceded by the intent do harm.
Jesus continues:
"If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell." (NLT)
Jesus says that with careless, thoughtless words, one can bring offense and find oneself dragged before the council (the Sanhedrin, the court of man) and be declared guilty. (N.B. careless = marked by or resulting from a lack of forethought or thoroughness).
He contrasts this thoughtless use of words with a deliberate verbal attack, which seeks to harm someone's character or reputation. An intentional verbal attack brings judgment in God's higher court. God judges the spiteful intent and the malicious purpose behind the verbal attack.
Just as Jesus teaches about the anger behind murder, he teaches about the spite that seeks to damage someone's character, and the malice that seeks to destroy someone's reputation, to cause them harm or make them suffer.
Jesus knows the intent behind a man's actions. He is the judge of man's heart.
Let's consider again the charge JDiver levies against Ray: "calling someone a fool".
Ray reveals the truth of the Bible. Is it really his intent to do damage to others? Is his purpose to cause them harm or make them suffer?
No. That is not what motivates Ray to say what he says. What he intends for others is what is in their best interests, even if they find the gospel offensive.
May God likewise grant that my only offense be that of the gospel.
