Problem With Rationalizations

Have you ever tried to rationalize sin? If you have, take heart, you are in good company.

Take for example, Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel. He was the one chosen by God to be the speaker for the stutterer, Moses. He was not only the spokesman, but was also “second in command” in Moses’ absence.

Moses went to the Mount to get the Ten Commandments from God. While he was on this sacred and prolonged mission there was funny business going on in the Israelite camp. Where, by the way, Aaron was now in charge. The people were getting restless, not only because Moses had been gone a while, they were getting a “hankering” for a false god and all the sensuousness that went along with it.

Aaron, who apparently got caught up in the same spirit, went along with this pagan urge and even became the man in charge of it. He organized and motivated the people to gather up their golden earrings and other gold ornaments. They gathered together a huge haul of gold and the man in charge orchestrated a huge bonfire to melt the gold. The man in charge then took the gold and fashioned it into an enormous golden calf.

The people, who were already clamoring for such a god, were told by Aaron, the man in charge, that this golden calf was their new god. He called for a time of worship and revelry to the new god.

About this time, Moses came back from the Mount and saw what was going on. He immediately hurled the engraved tablets to the ground. Hot with anger, Moses yelled at Aaron, “What did these people do to you that you brought so great a sin upon them” (Exodus 32:21, NKJV).

Okay, here comes the rationalization, and try to keep a straight face as you hear his answer. “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know these people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, make us gods that shall go before us; as for Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what become of him. And I said to them, whoever has any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out” (Exodus 32:22-24, NKJV).

So you see, rationalizing sin is nothing new and remains ‘til this day: “I committed adultery because my spouse did not meet my needs.” “I divorced my husband because he was too controlling.” “I have to cheat in my business because if you don’t cheat, you don’t stay in business.” “I rob banks because my parents didn’t discipline me.” And on and on go the rationalizations. Rationalizing sin is a sure fire recipe for spiritual defeat. It is an absolute block to spiritual victory.

The prodigal son, one of my favorite Bible characters, had a real recovery because he had a real confession. He said to his father, “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21, NKJV).

In our heart of hearts we know that rationalizing sin is phony and a put-on. A phony self can never experience a real blessing.