Question:
This question pertains to my job in the law firm. Is a mentally insane (either “temporary” or “permanent”) person guilty for their sins that they commit? From God’s viewpoint, are they responsible to pay the consequences and confess it to the Lord or to the one they wronged? My question stems from the acquittals recently of those who have claimed insanity and have been found not guilty by a jury. They definitely committed a crime but did not have to pay the consequences for it. I would like to know what God thinks about that.
Answer:
When we read Scriptures like Exodus 21:12 to the end of the chapter and chapter 12 we see that every wrong deed from the most to the least serious is a responsible act that must result in a penalty for the criminal according to God’s holiness. And throughout the Word of god we are taught that everyone is responsible to God for the things that he says and does. In Genesis 9:5-6 when God placed government into the hands of men He established capital punishment for the murderer. In Romans 13:1-4 the same truth is found. God has always held everyone responsible for their crimes and He still does. I do not know of one verse in the Bible where insanity mitigates a crime. In fact, I don’t even know of one verse where it is ever mentioned in connection with the judgment brought upon a criminal.
In every case in Scripture the evildoer was to be punished according to the severity of his crime. Restitution, sometimes even four and five times above the original loss, was always required. And there were several crimes which required the death of the evil doer. It was very expensive for the criminal under God’s holy law, even to his ultimate loss, life itself. When we consider all of this, I think it is clear that punishment upon the criminal was what God required and He required it in every case. NOTHING could take away the guilt of the evil doer. He had to pay according to God’s law. And to my knowledge insanity was never an issue in any case we read of in Scripture. Also, I don’t remember any Scripture that indicates that God inflicted punishment as a deterrent, though it is reasonable to think that it was to some would-be criminals. No. However much or little crime there was, God had in view His appropriate punishment for the criminal. Everyone was responsible to God for his actions.
Where does all this leave our present criminal justice system…………………? But then what can we expect in a godless nation?
Thank God for His grace and love in providing a full, perfect salvation for those who come to God in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!!