Humans are not Purely Logical Creatures
Years ago, I took a class in Logic, which everyone should take to understand how adhering to the truth works. One of the basic assumptions for the sake of practicality is to assume that people are logical. However, when it comes to using logic you will find, that the problems man faces don't need correction first, but compassion. Some problems arise when one chooses logic when there is actually a different cause in play that has an effect on the beliefs of the person (such as paranoia). Some problems arise when logic is improperly applied or used and yields incorrect answers to an unideal reality (fallacy or misdiagnosis). Sometimes problems are extrinsic to our ability to change, such as a broken person who continues to make poor decisions, and despite our understanding of the problem, saying what we believe would correct the problem actually worsens it (encountering corrupt realities or evil). The truth is, as much as it is good to conform to reality as much as possible, we will not ever do it perfectly and some actively choose against reality in favor of their favorite/addictive sins. Christian hypocrisy is something that comes up quite a bit in interpersonal conflicts in which a Christian is involved. This is because our hearts are made for perfection, hope for it, and very often fall short of it. When contemplating such things, there is an unsettled piece of the heart here and it seems that it is unreasonable to expect either a depreciation in standard on account of what seems possible or a perfect person on this side of the eschaton (Mariology aside). This fact is important because our standard is not attained only through human effort, but also grace. Sometimes in theory we can imagine ourselves doing well. After all, regardless of the situation, we detest sin for its outcome and appreciate virtue for its justice. However, when trial comes, we often forget grace and rely on our instinctual response rather than our reason. Thus, the problem is not humanity nor the objective standard but our fallenness, without God "we can do nothing". This is what better logic cannot account for.
First and foremost, there is no understanding of Christian morality that does not exceed the ability of human effort. There is no sense of speaking about the Christian life at large which can be right and not include a synonym to onerous. It has been said that we are not saved by only us or only God, but all of us and all of God (order unimportant). The breakdown/distinctions used in describing the Christian moral expectations as systematic as they are, do not form a system. This is to say they only dichotomize evil from evil and good for good and can help guide one to greater clarity. However, it only forms a framework of expectation in the commands of Christ which amounts to one thing, living a properly informed love. God is love. When we love properly, we follow the love of God and extend forth His essence I.e. the kingdom of God.
Second, by the first, there is no way to even mention properly the expectations Christians have of others or themselves without mentioning (at least implicitly or referentially) God; “Life in Christ”, “Divine Law, “Christian morality”, etc. this is perhaps the most important consideration when discussing anything like morality. Avoiding evil, as difficult and rare as it is, is not sufficient to work for our salvation. Yet, since it is detestable in itself and virtue is honorable in itself, is it really unreasonable or unfair to expect that of others. To demonstrate my point let us look at the Rich Young Man, who obeyed all commends but when asked to take the next step, a step in the direction of the heroic, he would not (at least at that time) because it is one thing to will good and a whole other level to chase Christ (Mark 10:17-24). There was something more than just reason at play in him. The same can be said of the sins of all of the major Biblical figures.
In conclusion, evil is seductive, and we are weak, but practically there is a lot we can do, even without going out of our way to receive grace to live a life of simplicity, joy, and harmony. This life will be incomplete and sometimes misguided without love. The part hypocrisy really consists of is when willing the good for others, especially concerning their conduct, is done more than it is for oneself. This too is corruption because it has forgotten the subjective element of love which considers the difficulty involved, for the particular person. It is not wrong to help others see where they can improve, but one should not do so without considering the particulars. I have learned this by doing it wrongly of course but also much from doing it closer and closer to rightly. Please forgive us who love with Judgment Day in mind if we overstep and help us to see the particulars. However, don’t lose sight of Heaven when you love either. There is more to living morally, than logic, there is woundedness and a corrupt nature involved too. That doesn’t mean there isn’t rationality as well but maybe don't start there. Indeed, in our corruption, maybe we think more like animals than eternal creatures.
CCC 2515 Etymologically, "concupiscence" can refer to any intense form of human desire. Christian theology has given it a particular meaning: the movement of the sensitive appetite contrary to the operation of the human reason. The apostle St. Paul identifies it with the rebellion of the "flesh" against the "spirit." Concupiscence stems from the disobedience of the first sin. It unsettles man's moral faculties and, without being in itself an offense, inclines man to commit sins.
Written by Carter Carruthers & also available soon at Missio Dei
