Chapter 9: Rationalization of Mankind

Page 26

As a small businessman, I have hired family and friends for various

jobs in the past. If you want to find someone who rationalizes behavior away, go locate a small businessman who employs either family or friends. It took me a while to realize that when it came to family and friends, that 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 of the window so to speak. Why?

It is because “love covers all sins.” Proverbs 10:12

Your 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 not involve 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, Brian. 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 that their child will win. 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 puts a check on 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.