Rationalizing

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles, Free Digital Photos

It starts very young. “He hit me first,” says the child who hit her brother.

Why do we do what we do? Why do we sin the way we do?

“Well, you see, my parents didn’t get along, and they yelled and screamed. I can’t help it that I holler at my children.”

“I was bullied when I was nine years old, and now, I’m not going to let anyone tell me what to do.”

“My gambling is a habit. It got ahold of me, and now I can’t control it.”

“My friend showed me that first pornographic image, and ever since I couldn’t put it down.”

“I like getting drunk. I really do. It makes me feel confident and happy.”

"Reverend Important So-and-so interprets this verse to say that it's okay to sin in this way. It doesn't matter what all the other Bible verses on the subject say. If this Christian leader says it, I believe I can do it."

“I needed the money, and I didn’t think the company would miss it. After all, they don’t pay me enough. I started transferring small amounts several years ago.”

“This pregnancy wasn’t planned. We wanted our other children, but this time, we're going to abort.”

“Mrs. Smith is terminally ill. She will certainly die in six months, probably in terrible pain. She should be allowed to terminate her life on her own terms before she suffers any more.”

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Did you notice the progression? We started with a normal tiff between siblings, then went through some addictive behaviors, robbery, and ended up with assisted suicide. Everything can be rationalized. There’s an excuse for anything and everything. It might be “someone else’s fault” or it might “just make sense,” but people can explain away anything they want to do.

And there’s the key: we choose to do whatever we do.

We don’t have to do anything. We choose to sin or not to sin.

Just as Eve chose to believe Satan and Adam chose to disobey God and please his wife, we all choose to do wrong.

But, there’s good news! We can choose to do right!

The Bible says: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Jesus understands our struggles. For we have not an high priest (Jesus) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

God has always given people a choice. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

The question is, do we really, truly want to please God and follow His commandments, or are we more interested in pleasing ourselves (and maybe even blaming others)? I know this is simplistic, but it’s at the core of all of our decision-making. Do we want to please God or our own selves?

• And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).
• For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psalm 84:10).
• Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good (Isaiah 7:15).

What’s more, there’s victory through Jesus. Whatever sin you might have done or might be doing, in Christ you can be victorious. It’s important to depend on Him for victory, and it’s important to stay in God’s Word and growing in your Christian walk. Read these encouraging verses:

• But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
• For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

Are you in Christ? Have you been born again?*

If so, you can make life choices that honor God. The Lord Jesus Christ will help you have victory over sinful practices and habits.

Praise ye the LORD.

Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,

that delighteth greatly in his commandments (Psalm 112:1).

With my whole heart have I sought thee:

O let me not wander from thy commandments (Psalm 119:10).

*"Born again" is from John, chapter 3.