Chapter 9: Rationalization of Mankind

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[9] Now all the rest were at supper, [10] but the king was extremely

thirsty, and though springs were plentiful there, he could not satisfy his thirst from them. [11] But a certain irrational desire for the water in the enemy’s territory tormented and inflamed him, undid and consumed him. [12] When his guards complained bitterly because of the king’s craving, two staunch

young soldiers, respecting the king’s desire, armed themselves fully, and taking a pitcher climbed over the enemy’s ramparts. [13] Eluding the sentinels at the gates, they went searching throughout the enemy camp [14] and found the spring, and from it boldly brought the king a drink. [15] But

David, though he was burning with thirst, considered it an altogether fearful danger to his soul to drink what was regarded as equivalent to blood.

[16] Therefore, opposing reason to desire, he poured out the drink as an offering to God.

[17] For the temperate mind can conquer the drives of the emotions and quench the flames of frenzied desires; it can overthrow bodily agonies even when they are extreme, and by nobility of reason

spurn all domination by the emotions.” 4 Maccabees 2:1-3:18

The writer of 4 Maccabees gives many examples where the reason of the mind or “rational judgment” is sovereign over the emotions or the flesh.

The illustration of Joseph rejecting the advances of Pharaoh’s wife is particularly poignant. “In his prime for intercourse, Joseph overcame his sexual desires via mental efforts.” Joseph reasoned in his mind that it was ill advised to “covet” the wife of Pharaoh no matter what her desires were.

That is because God’s Word says, “Thou shalt not covet.” When you walk with God, you are obedient to His truth and you don’t rationalize away your lust, you tame it. You confront your lust [or other sin] with reason, the kind of reason, truth and wisdom that comes from understanding God.

An ex-president of the United States, who totes his Bible into many churches, would do well to consider these simple teachings on reason and its relationship to wisdom. It can help control his sexual urges as God also

says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”