Some of us may recall how our mothers could “read us like a book.” Just think about slipping out of the house when chores were not done–and Mother was there by the door. How did she know what I was thinking? Because she was “Mother”! Sneak out to play in your “good clothes”? Not a chance...she was always two steps ahead of us, telling us to change clothes first. Growing up helped us discover that she did not need “psychic” skills, she was just being “Mother”.
Though we may not try to “sneak out” in our Sunday clothes to play in the sand any more, it is easy for us to think that God is not aware of our thoughts or our deeds. We would be wise to consider the following words from Him:
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereththehearts,” Proverbs 21:2.
That little boy wearing the corduroy knickers did not want to take time to change clothes, although he had no affection for his knickers. But no, Mother caught him again.
The very nature of God, that of “omniscience,” unlimited knowledge, is one of His ways that we might want to change, but just like Mother at the door, He knows our heart.
One quality of man that does not serve us well is that ability to convince ourselves that God does not know our heart. We even convince ourselves that we can fool God, that we can “pull the wool” over His eyes.
It works in other ways. If I really try, I can convince myself that I really need a new boat and a new pair of Ostrich boots. Of course, going along with my self-persuading, I can do whatever my heart desires.
There are several words that define that action, and one of them is “rationalizing.” To rationalize is defined by Webster’s dictionary:
“…to attempt to justify behavior normally considered irrational by offering an apparently reasonable explanation.”
That new pair of Lucchese boots in the window? “I really need them, and I can make the payments. I know I can!”
People have been doing this as long as humans have populated this planet. But any way you twist it, or shape it, you are still trying to do something that is not rational, but irrational. It does not work! You are only fooling yourself. Your arguments are convincing to you, they make real good sense to you, but they are “irrational.”
A Christian can do the same; become irrational by making foolish decisions. Some ways Christians do the same might be characterized like this: “The Bible says nothing about Wednesday night or Sunday night, so I don’t have to be there. But I’ll always be there on Sunday morning!” That person is as convinced he/she is correct in their thinking as the fellow who wants that new boat. But that is just another example of “rationalizing.” That brings us back to this passage of scripture:
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereththehearts,” Proverbs 21:2.
If a person wants to go out drinking and carousing on Saturday night, he/she will be able to convince himself that such behavior is all right.
If you want to keep more of your money on Sunday morning, you can rationalize that “The Bible doesn’t say anything about ten percent…”, or “It’s nobody’s business how much I give.” That may salve your conscience; convince you that you are all right on that subject. But don’t forget, ”the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
In reality, what we are really talking about is an “attitude issue”. Instead of putting the Lord at the top of our list of privileges, we are putting our own wants and desires first.
We can do better than that, and we should. Remember, God knows our hearts, and we know He loves us and takes care of us. Let’s be honest with ourselves and with Him. God already knows.
