The second thieving rationalization that causes us to underestimate temptation in the area of appetite...says, It is better than...
In this lie, we abdicate our responsibility to discipline our appetite by convincing ourselves that what we are doing is the "lesser of two evils." So we listen in silence to a slanderous rumor, but at least we did not start it. We punish someone repeatedly in our thoughts, but at least we are not doing it with our fists. We fantasize about impurity privately, but at least we are not engaging in it physically.
This kind of reasoning almost makes it seem as though we are doing God a favor by sinning, as though he should be satisfied or even proud that we are not doing something worse. But when tempted in the layer of appetite, the question we need to ask ourselves is not, What is this better then? but "What is this feeding?" Whatever we feed will live to tempt us another day.
How ABOUT that last line?
Whatever we feed will live to tempt us another day.
By the way, the FIRST "thieving rationalization" is
"it is just until....."
as if today doesn't really count or that we will deal with the issue later.
"Today always counts," she writes.
"If we fail to deal with issues today, they will deal with us tomorrow."
GREAT post Rebecca. It really hit me between the eyes. I am referencing it in my post for tomorrow. Thank you so much. "Thieving rationalization" - eye opener. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt "hit" me, too! Just in time!
DeleteFor me, Rebecca, all you wrote is particularly applicable to SUGAR. Thanks for sharing. Susan
ReplyDeleteTELL me about it, Susan! Sugar is the thing that tempts me to rationalize AND partake, too.
Delete