Are you insane? Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? These are questions we ask ourselves and others whenever we say or do something irrational. A rational person believes and acts according to reason - that is they have a sound basis for their beliefs and behavioral choices. An irrational person, by contrast, has no sound basis for their beliefs and behaviors - they act impulsively, erratically, and emotionally - with few proven beliefs.
Today, such clarity between rationality and irrationality has been muddied, blurred and confused by Academia, the Media, and the entertainment industry.
So what about you? Do you have valid, proven, sound reasons behind what you believe and how you behave?What does your Bible have to say about rationality and irrationality? How can you develop a sound mind like that of Jesus Christ?
The trial of Jesus Christ before His death, is a Biblical example of irrational behavior: “Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!’ Then he said to them the third time, ‘Why, what evil has He done? I have found no REASON for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.’ But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified, and the voices of these men and chief priests (Not Reason) prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.” (LUKE 23:20-24)
Pilate knew that this crowd had been stirred up by Jewish leaders, but his rational plea was ignored by an irrational crowd. So he finally gave into their demands, just as many political and religious leaders do to crowds today! Your Bible says: “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil.” (EXODUS 23:2) One of the greatest evils there is played out here: Sentencing an innocent man to death!
Scripture tells us: “Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s REASON…” (ECCLESIASTES 7:7) We live in a nation that is increasingly oppressing free speech in schools, Social Media, athletics and the public square. Reasoning, public debate and discussion of all points of view are frowned upon. Conservative speakers are rarely invited to Universities and Colleges, but when they are, they’re often booed off the stage before they can even make their presentation.
Contrast that tyrannical approach with that of Almighty God: “Come now and let us REASON together, says the Lord…” (ISAIAH 1:18) And in a similar text: “Present your case,’ says the Lord. Bring forth your strong REASONS, says the King of Jacob.” (ISAIAH 41:21)
The Original Christians never forced their beliefs on anyone, but rather encouraged debate and discussion. Scripture tells us: “Now as he (Paul) REASONED about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix (Roman Governor) was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (ACTS 24:25) The Biblical message Christians bring is based on sound reasoning, which makes some people uncomfortable enough to want to censor it.
The Apostle Peter encouraged people saying, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a REASON for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (I PETER 3:15)
The Bible describes irrational people as fools: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.” (PSALM 14:1) It also refers to them as ‘Leftists’: “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left… Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked MADNESS - and fools multiply words.” (ECCLESIASTES 10:2,12,14 NIV)