DAY17 Rejecting Rationalization
Today’s Bible Reading
Mark 7:6–13
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions. - Mark 7:8
An Atlanta police officer asked a driver if she knew why he’d stopped her. “No idea!” she said in bewilderment. “Ma’am, you were texting while driving,” the officer gently told her. “No, no!” she protested, holding up her cell phone as evidence. “It’s an email.”
Using a cell phone to send an email doesn’t grant us a loophole from a law that prohibits texting while driving! The point of the law isn’t to prevent texting; it’s to prevent distracted driving.
Jesus accused the religious leaders of His day of creating far worse loopholes. “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God,” He said, quoting the command to “Honor your father and mother” as evidence (Mark 7:9–10). Under the hypocritical cloak of religious devotion, these wealthy leaders were neglecting their families. They simply declared their money as “devoted to God,” and voila, no need to help Mom and Dad in their old age. Jesus quickly got to the heart of the problem. “You nullify the word of God by your tradition,” He said (v. 13). They weren’t honoring God; they were dishonoring their parents.
Rationalization can be so subtle. With it we avoid responsibilities, explain away selfish behavior, and reject God’s direct commands. If that describes our behavior, we’re merely deceiving ourselves. Jesus offers us the opportunity to exchange our selfish tendencies for the guidance of the Spirit behind His Father’s good instructions.
By Tim Gustafson
Questions:
1. What did Jesus call the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (Mark 7:6)? Why did He call them that (Mark 7:6-8)?
2. What was wrong with the traditions of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (Mark 7:913)?
3. Think about the traditions which you and your family follow. Are they in alignment with God’s commandments? In today’s devotional write-up, “rationalisations” are explanations that we give to justify ourselves when we do wrong. What are one or two rationalisations that you are tempted to give for your bad behaviour?
Prayer:
God, I need Your wise discernment. Rescue me from my denial of my own guilt. Help me live in step with Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.