Don't Play God

Steven’s Scribbles
“Don’t Play God”
Matt. 5:22


We often claim, “I don’t judge someone,” or “only God can judge someone,” or “I’m not God.” However, our actions don’t always align with our claim. In part of the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives commentary and deeper understanding of much of the Law of Moses. Concerning murder, he described the actions that would lead someone to have contempt that leads to murder. However translated Bibles struggle to capture the meaning of Matt. 5:22. “whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” The term translated “good-for-nothing’ is rhaka (ῥακά) and the term translated “fool,” is móros (μωρός). This is the only time rhaka is used in the Bible and one of the few times móros is used, therefore making it difficult to translate. But if we understood these meanings deeper, we would realize we sometimes “play God.” Thayer’s informs us that rhaka means “Empty, i.e., a senseless, empty-headed man, a term of reproach.” Strong’s would go on to comment that it is used as “thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification).” In context it is claiming that your brother is not worth reconciling because he is worthless, i.e., not worthy of salvation. Concerning móros Thayer’s says that it is “expressive of condemnation” and Strong’s would go on to say “dull or stupid (as if shut up), i. e. heedless (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd — fool.” Again, we see the expressed condemning. How are we guilty of this today? “You can talk to that person, but they’ll never listen.” “Don’t waste your time trying to teach that person.” Whenever we make judgment calls about whether someone is worthy to teach or not, in direct opposition of Matt. 13, we are playing God. We are being guilty of the same spirit Jesus is speaking directly against here. Spread the seed. Don’t play God. I love you all!


In His Service,
Steven Hugley