Rationalizing (2)
Tuesday September 9, 2014
Two of the many reasons we excuse giving into temptation and rationalizing our behaviour are: 1) We want what sin has to offer us. 2) Doing the right thing and being responsible for our actions seems too challenging or too inconvenient.
Eve knew that God had commanded her not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but when she saw that “the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it”. (Genesis 3:6 NIV) Eve mentally overruled God’s commandment. She listened to her desires and filtered her thought pattern through them. She based her actions on what was good to look at and rationalized that, the benefit that it would give would be greater than the problems that would result from her disobedience. Sadly, just as God had warned, her rebellion brought her into harm's way and eventually resulted in her death.
Why do we rationalize? Taking responsibility for our behaviour may seem too challenging. We’re afraid of the shame, the pain, or the disappointment that has already resulted from our poor choices. It is easier to make excuses for our behaviour or blame someone else in order to get the burden “off our shoulders.” As long as rationalizing makes us feel better, we deceive ourselves further by thinking that the situation must also have improved. Often, “feeling better” is why we engaged in rationalizing in the first place. Being honest and confessing our actions when we have made a poor choice may cause us embarrassment, in the short term, because we have to come clean about being wrong.
Our comfort zone is threatened when we have to admit the truth about ourselves. However, without acknowledging any responsibility for our actions we will continue to search for excuses for our behaviour.
Our comfort zone is threatened when we have to admit the truth about ourselves. However, without acknowledging any responsibility for our actions we will continue to search for excuses for our behaviour.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 NIV)
Today, let’s make a choice to live what we claim to be. If we determine in our hearts to follow the ways of God, He will strengthen our hearts enabling us to live life to the full. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. He will,
Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!” (Isaiah 35:3-4 MSG)
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