Unreasonableness and Irrationality

Overcome Sin through Christ

Someone may accuse another, “You are being unreasonable.”  Another may say, “That was an irrational decision.”  What is meant by this?  Unreasonable means “Not reasonable or rational; not guided by reason or sound judgment; irrational. . . . not in accordance with practical realities, as attitude or behavior.”[1]  It means “not governed by reason: an unreasonable attitude.”[2]  Irrational means “marked by a lack of accord with reason or sound judgment: an irrational dislike.”[3]  It denotes, “lacking sound judgment or logic: irrational arguments. . . . not controlled or governed by reason: irrational behavior.”[4]

The Christian is not to base his decisions and life on irrational ideas, absurd reasoning, and illogical thinking.  While some who profess Christianity may boast that they are simply walking by faith, they actually are unthinking in their acceptance of strange ideas and unfounded beliefs.  Paul says that we are to “think so as to have sound judgment” (Romans 12:3).   This could be translated as “sober judgment” (ESV).  Peter also urges us, “Be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).[5]  Someone has written, “Christians are to be characterized by reason; are to make wise, mature decisions; and are to have a clearly defined, decisive purpose in life.”[6]

When we make choices and come to decisions in our daily life, do we consider the options, weigh the alternatives, study the information, and pray for the Lord’s wisdom (James 1:5)—and only then come to conclusions?  Or do we rush into our everyday decisions, without a consideration of God’s will and the truth of God’s Word?  Do we thoughtfully ponder God’s will in each choice, or do we come to unwise decisions because we were careless?

In addition, some make their decisions on the basis of what they imagine God has “said” or “spoken” to their heart.  They believe that God has a running dialog with their spirit and reveals “inside information” to them alone so that they need not be concerned about searching Scriptures to know God’s will (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  They think irrationally and live without their godly reason, walking contrary to all logic and sane judgment.

God calls on us to “renew” our mind so that we may “prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2).  The mind is not to be rejected, but the mind is to be used, having been renewed by God through the Holy Spirit and according to the standard of God’s perfect Word.

 

[1] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[2] The American Heritage College Dictionary.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[5] The ESV Study Bible and The NET Bible have “self-controlled.”

[6] NASB Study Bible, note.