Heartprints

The Pitfalls of Reason

     When faced with a decision do you find yourself reciting a list of reasons why you should or shouldn't?  A rap sheet of circumstances that have maybe always been present but suddenly incapacitate ones ability to continue? To plead your case before a jury of your peers with an exhaustive yet highly impressive list of reasons, excuses, and circumstances?

     When faced with a decision do you find yourself reciting a list of reasons why you should or shouldn't?  A rap sheet of circumstances that have maybe always been present but suddenly incapacitate ones ability to continue? To plead your case before a jury of your peers with an exhaustive yet highly impressive list of reasons, excuses, and circumstances?

     I know for me, no matter how many times I tell myself that it’s ok to say “no,” I will inevitably recite the entire list (with a few on the fly additions) when the opportunity presents itself. It is as if I have to negotiate with myself in order to rationalize or come to terms with difficult decisions or decisions I fear will not be well received.

    The term, “Reason," means, “to think or argue logically, to convince." Sometimes it takes more effort to adequately convince than it would take to fulfill the task. 

     This is even true when it involves spiritual decisions. Whether it be stepping out of leadership, giving up our Sunday in the nursery or leaving the church entirely, we feel we need to give a list of reasons to make it acceptable; when in fact, the only acceptable reason to start, stop, stay or leave is because it is God's Will.

The Pitfalls of Reason: 

1.Reason Can Override God’s Will

God’s Will is not bound by human reasoning. To try and gauge God’s Will by what we can humanly fathom or account for is to remove the awesome power of God. It doesn’t have to make sense or be humanly measurable for it to be the right decision. In fact, it is probably better that it doesn’t 😀  Isaiah 55:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15   

2.Reason Takes the Seat of Glory

When good sound reasoning governs our decision, we are not yielding to God’s power. The decision may truly be God’s Will but credit has been given to reason. This pitfall is two fold: 

  • It is stating that God can’t handle all that is going on in our lives so we need to be free to intervene  Philippians 4:19
  • It is stating that our logic is better than God’s  1 Corinthians 3:18-19

The Power of God’s Release:

1. God guides those who submit to him~Proverbs 3:5-6

2. God gives rest to those who come to him~Matthew 11:28-29

3. God stays with those who are his~Jeremiah 7:23

There will always be circumstances…bottom line~it's either God’s Will or it isn't. 

Romans 12:1-2