Truth Is Opposite Of Rationalization!
In the big picture, rationalization is just the opposite of truth. When someone engages in rationalization, they attempt to create their own truth. There is no limit to the degree of rationalization in mankind, and you can even find it in the sciences.
Science is a field that is supposed to be objective, rational, and free of emotion. Even so, science finds itself steeped in humanistic concerns as it seeks to convey its own version of the truth to the public. You need only consider the lengths that evolution scientists will go to support their man-made theories. If you believe in evolution, you believe in the scientific rationalization of many non-existent scientific facts. There is virtually no factual basis in science to support the theory of evolution. Not even any aspect of the theory. Scientific facts actually support the Bible's statements about creation in Genesis. Excellent books have been written debunking the evolution myth, so I will not add any more to it here. Go and study the subject. I mention it here only because it is another example of the rationalization of mankind, in which man-made theories and mythology are now widely accepted as facts. Repeat a lie (or myth) long enough, and what?
Still, like Christian theologians that continue to support the debunked Trinity doctrine, evolution scientists continue to support a fully debunked theory. In the case of the Trinity, the doctrine cannot stand up against the written word of God, and that part of it given to us by Jesus. In the case of evolution, the theory cannot withstand well-established scientific facts, including historical fossil records.
God’s Word tells you how the truth can set you free. However, it is Christian mythology that “you can know the truth and the truth will set you free.” This widely repeated statement in Christianity fails to acknowledge the conditional qualifications under which the truth will make you free. Consider the entire word of God on this subject and its conditions.
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ” John 8:31-32
Since Jesus spoke what God told him to say, the proper translation of this verse would be as follows. Once you believe, you start to abide in the Word. As you abide or “live in” the Word, you become Disciples of Jesus Christ. At that time, you will know the truth. Finally, then the truth shall make you free. This is a five-step process to getting set free with truth.
- Believing in Christ [and his Father our God].
- Abiding in Christ’s word [the word given to him by God].
- Becoming a disciple of Christ [another servant of God].
- Knowing the truth [not learning but “knowing” from God].
- Getting set free by the truth.
t is important to realize that Jesus said this “to those Jews who believed in him.” Therefore, believing in God and also in His Son [Jesus] was the very first condition. A sincere heart is a companion to real belief. The above verse in John is just another way of saying that Christ will open your understanding to the truth. The source of all truth lies within God’s Word. To stand for the truth means that you are rational and are taking your emotions out of play.
“For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you.” 2 Cor. 5:13 NAB
In the above verse, the Apostle Paul uses the word “rational” to contrast “speaking in tongues” [without understanding to man] with speaking in plain language that all can understand. Speaking in tongues is a language of the spirit in which God’s Holy Spirit interprets what we speak. This is the only use of the word “rational” in the entire Old and New Testaments. However, the Apocryphal book of 4 Maccabees in the NRSV 12 translation contains the following verses.
“The subject that I am about to discuss is most philosophical, that is, whether devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. So it is right for me to advise you to pay earnest attention to philosophy.”
“For the subject is essential to everyone who is seeking knowledge, and in addition it includes the praise of the highest virtue—I mean, of course, rational judgment. If, then, it is evident that reason rules over those emotions that hinder self-control, namely, gluttony and lust, it is also clear that it masters the emotions that hinder one from justice, such as malice, and those that stand in the way of courage, namely anger, fear, and pain. Some might perhaps ask, ‘If reason rules the emotions, why is it not sovereign over forgetfulness and ignorance?’ Their attempt at argument is ridiculous! For reason does not rule its own emotions, but those that are opposed to justice, courage, and self-control; and it is not for the purpose of destroying them, but so that one may not give way to them.” 4 Maccabees 1:1-6 NRSV
Rational Judgment Rules Over Emotions!
“Now reason is the mind that with sound logic prefers the life of wisdom. Wisdom, next, is the knowledge of divine and human matters and the causes of these. This, in turn, is education in the law, by which we learn divine matters reverently and human affairs to our advantage. Now the kinds of wisdom are rational judgment, justice, courage, and self-control. Rational judgment is supreme over all of these, since by means of it reason rules over the emotions. The two most comprehensive types of the emotions are pleasure and pain; and each of these is by nature concerned with both body and soul.” 4 Maccabees 1:15-20 NRSV
Rational Judgment Is A Part of Wisdom!
“Just as pleasure and pain are two plants growing from
the body and the soul, so there are many offshoots of these plants, each of which the master cultivator, reason, weeds and prunes and ties up and waters and thoroughly irrigates, and so tames the jungle of habits and emotions. For reason is the guide of the virtues, but over the emotions it is sovereign.
Observe now, first of all, that rational judgment is sovereign over the emotions by virtue of the restraining power of self-control.
Self-control, then, is dominance over the desires. Some desires are mental, others are physical, and reason obviously rules over both. Otherwise, how is it that when we are attracted to forbidden foods we abstain from the pleasure to be had from them? Is it not because reason is able to rule over appetites? I for one think so. Therefore when we crave seafood and fowl and animals and all sorts of foods that are forbidden to us by the law, we abstain because of domination by reason.
For the emotions of the appetites are restrained, checked by the temperate mind, and all the impulses of the body are bridled by reason.” 4 Maccabees 1:28-35
Rational judgment is sovereign over the emotions of man and woman by virtue of the restraining power of self-control. This is how our unlimited desires are checked. 4 Maccabees points out that wisdom, of which rational judgment is a part, is conditioned by the knowledge of both divine and human matters. See verse 1:16. Therefore, being rational involves keeping the emotions in check and simply examining the facts of the matter for truth. Those who seek to be rational about a matter seek truth. When it comes to the truth, however, one must be knowledgeable in the matters of the divine. One must have spiritual understanding, which is a gift from God Almighty.
You Cannot Be Rational Without Knowledge Of God!
Therefore, those who are truly rational and exhibit this aspect of wisdom are not just knowledgeable in human matters. They are also knowledgeable in spiritual matters and can demonstrate an understanding of God’s written word. From where does wisdom come? It comes from God. Becoming fully rational about any matter in life is a worthy goal. It is precisely why the philosopher Paracelsus made the statement: “Men who are devoid of spiritual perception are unable to recognize anything that cannot be seen externally.” Truth and rationalization can be illustrated graphically as shown below. Note that they are inversely proportional to one another.
At 100% of the truth, you are fully rational. Your reasoning then represents only reality and what is true or factual [in the eyes of God]. At 0% of the truth, you are at 100% of rationalization. Basically, you are lying 100% and trying to rationalize or morph something you believe or accept as being true into the truth. Virtually every human being alive rationalizes something into the truth at one time or another in his or her life. It is human inclination to want what we believe to be true to actually be true, especially when it comes to rationalizing our sins away. The simple act of repeating a lie over and over again tends to create an air of acceptance as fact.
It is a sad commentary that there are so many promoters of “gray” matter in the 21st Century when it comes to truth. Situational dynamics that render different sets of truth are simply man’s rationalization to have it anyway that is satisfactory to cover the desires of sin.
Consider a common notion today that God supports the homosexual lifestyle and that practicing homosexuality is just another form of “love.” This is man’s rationalization using certain Scriptures to promote this sin while ignoring others that severely condemn it. Therefore, it is critical and important in mankind’s rationalization of the Trinity that homosexual sin and others that Jesus becomes God [and is understood as part of a Trinity god].
By morphing Jesus into God, mankind shifts the character of God from one that is holy and requires repentance to one that no longer seems to care about much except “forgiveness.” That is the essence of today’s false Christian teachings. Christianity has created a more user-friendly God by implying incorrectly that sin no longer matters to God “as long as you have Jesus.” This is a cheap grace doctrine that literally won’t hold any salvation.
The doctrine is a spiritual salvation sieve where what appears to be eternal salvation simply leaks away, leaving the holder of the sieve empty-handed when it comes to eternal life. Homosexuality is just another example of the preposterous rationalization of mankind that goes on today in modern Christianity. So many believe this “love doctrine” that practicing lesbians and homosexuals are now ordained as priests, bishops, etc.
Those who rationalize sin away will be among those whom Jesus says: “I never knew you.” Those who teach others that sin no longer matters to God will face a special punishment. Get to know your Bible, and you will find this is a factual teaching from God’s perspective. It is not rationalization on my part. I only inform you what you should know and expect from God’s Word.
Besides rationalizing aberrant sexual behaviors like homosexuality and lesbianism, mankind seeks to rationalize many other sins in life. For example, it is amazing that those who still rationalize that smoking won’t harm their body. I know of nurses who smoke packs of cigarettes daily. That doesn’t say much for their health education, does it? You should know that knowledge itself is totally useless. The old adage that knowledge is power is mythology. Applied knowledge is power. Applied knowledge is stuff that you have learned and then put into practice. That is why the Bible says, “Those who practice righteousness are righteous like Christ.”
Alcohol, drugs, and getting fat won’t hurt you? I could supply a lengthy list here of various and sundry rationalizations of mankind. Mostly all of these rationalizations involve some type of sin. It is stuff that mankind wants to be true, but isn’t. At least it is not true from God’s perspective.
What about me? Haven’t I rationalized a little in life? You’d better believe it. And in many ways. Remember I told you earlier that I recently suffered for four days in the grief of rationalization before God released me from it? I’ll get to that event and explain it in a moment. For now, you need to understand that when you walk with God, truth must reign supreme. As you get close to God, rationalization of any kind becomes anathema to you. It is literally something that can make you spiritually and physically sick. Why? Because you recognize it for what it is. Rationalization is sin and it is a force opposite of Truth. Think again about the Truth Prophecy.
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NIV
They Perish Because They Refused What?
Think about the words of the Apostle Paul above. Paul told you that deception is coming. I tell you that deception has arrived. Paul teaches, “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” He goes on by saying, “That all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
What or who is the truth? It is God Almighty and His Holy Word. That is truth! The fourth definition of truth in the Merriam-Webster dictionary presents God as truth. As a Christian, you should love the truth of God’s Word. When you love the truth, you love God. Could Paul’s words be clearer? Have you been given understanding? Do you now seek the truth at all costs? Those who love the truth will die for it. That is what the Apostle Paul did.
Now let’s revisit the subject of homosexuality briefly and consider the words of Apostle Paul. The question before us at the moment is whether the doctrine of accepting homosexual behavior holds up to the truth? The truth is God’s Word. Or, is the current acceptance of homosexual behavior “a refusal to love the truth and delighting in wickedness?” This subject will be dealt with more completely in a later chapter of the Book of Edward. However, for this discussion on rationalization, consider the following four Scriptures.
“[Homosexuals are] filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness …” Romans 1:29
“[Homosexuals have] exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature [Satan] rather than the Creator.” Romans 1:25
“For this reason God gave [homosexuals] up to [their] vile passions.” Romans 1:26
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22
The fact that God loves sinners cannot be denied. However, it is also true that God holds sinners accountable for their sins. To think or teach otherwise is simply a rationalization. If you can reason, you have wisdom. The reason attribute of wisdom that you exhibit is because you not only know man’s ways but you also know God’s Word.
From this knowledge of God’s Word, you reason correctly that you cannot condone homosexuality. This does not mean you cannot provide spiritual support to teach a homosexual the truth. To love the sinner and still hate the sin is fundamental to those who walk with God. Support in God’s perspective means to teach the truth. You must not condone or fellowship with those who persist in a lifestyle of abomination unto God. Not if you love the truth.
Today, the homosexual political lobby is very strong, and their intent is simple. This is an “in your face” homosexual lobby that seeks nothing less than the full acceptance of their sinful lifestyle. They would have all of society believe that homosexuality is a valid alternative lifestyle on a par level with that of heterosexuality. They even seek marital benefits and special protections from governments and large corporations to elevate their status in society. All of their efforts are nothing but rationalization and cannot be reasoned from God’s Word. While they will extract various benefits from governments and corporations, they will wind up short-handed from Jesus, who will tell all practicing homosexuals, “I never knew you.”
Are you still with me? That’s good. It means you seek the truth despite the hard teachings in the above homosexual illustration from God. It is not mankind’s rationalization of homosexuality that is true. It is the word of God. To think otherwise does not love the truth. Instead, it is engaging in and delighting in wickedness. What every Christian needs to fully understand is that God is the One who defines truth. It is not some college professor doing a scientific study on the makeup of the homosexual brain that defines truth. Now, let’s reexamine the Mythology Prophecy.
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV
The Apostle Paul told you that a time is coming when people will turn away from the truth. I tell you that time has arrived. The truth of God’s Word is being ignored by mainstream Christians and Charismatics alike. In virtually every church, mythology is often practiced, and various man-made doctrines are being rationalized. To accept those rationalizations, members of the congregations have to turn part of their brains off. Indeed, they worship God in vain, as Jesus said. True worship must involve truth, not rationalization.
Jesus said: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him [God] must worship [God] in spirit and truth.” John 4:24
Note: These are the words of Jesus Christ telling us to worship God and that we are to worship God [not Christ] in both our spirit and truth.
Those who are serious students of the Bible cannot find a place of real comfort in churches filled with apostasy. Therefore, if you stand firm for all of God’s truth, you are most likely in some small fellowship. You are a remnant of God. Are you part of the remnant if you know the truth and yet elect to remain silent within the apostate church? We know from the book of Revelation that God has remnants within various churches. However, I wonder how silent those remnants can be about God’s truth?
“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:5
“You have a few names even in [the church of] Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” Rev. 3:4
I suspect that God has His people in virtually every church on earth. I cannot say exactly why they are there, why they remain. However, those who belong to God and remain in an apostate church will be witnesses before God Almighty of the apostasy and rationalization of mankind. They also have not “defiled their garments” — which I take to mean that they do not tolerate sin. Even in a sinful church, they do not partake in the sin, and they do not condone it. They are agents of righteousness
As a small businessman, I have hired family and friends for various jobs in the past. If you want to find someone who rationalizes away behavior, go find a small businessman who employs family or friends. It took me a while to realize that when it came to family and friends, I simply was not being fully rational. I could not reason with full wisdom because my emotions got in the way. Often my objectivity got thrown out the window, so to speak. Why?
It is because “love covers all sins.” Proverbs 10:12
YYour love for your family and friends can color your objectivity. This remains true until you fully harness God’s wisdom and can reason over your emotions and speak the simple truth. I have a natural tendency to be rational and avoid emotions. If you listen to some people who know me, they might say I am insensitive. However, even this natural tendency does not help me to easily confront those who are close to my heart.
Then there is the matter of my son. I am much better with him today now that he is over 30. However, when he was a youth, growing up and behaving badly—I could literally go brain-dead. Many fathers will pull out all the stops so their child wins. Win at all costs. Think about the ridiculous sports fiascos that take place, where fathers try to ensure “their” child will win. Why do we do this? It certainly has a little to do with our natural human inclinations.
“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?” Luke 11:11
Fatherly love does cover a lot of sin, and objectivity is often lost when it comes to those who are closest to us. Mothers are certainly not immune from rationalization when it comes to children. They can be quite good at it.
What keeps our emotions in check and our reason in control is our knowledge of God’s Word. Reason checks our emotions. But only to the extent we possess knowledge of God’s laws. With such knowledge we can reason properly and not rationalize bad behavior away.
What I am really trying to say here is that we can be honest with God and honest with ourselves if we have His wisdom. Only then can we reason with integrity. That is what our aim should be in our spiritual lives. Our goal is to always be honest by using our reason correctly. And to not allow emotions to cloud our righteous judgment.
As they approached, Jesus said, “Here comes an honest man—a true son of Israel.” John 1:47
Being honest with yourself and others means seeking the truth about all matters and rejecting rationalization. Being honest means to seek to adhere to God’s laws. It means that you do not gloss over, condone, or hide sin. You don’t make excuses for sin. In fact, you confront sin. If you walk with God, you seek to deal with sin in a way that true repentance is rendered. This is a real solution to bad or sinful behavior. If you hide sin, you are engaging in rationalization, and Jesus may say to you, “I never knew you.”