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Do You Excuse Yourself for Sin?
Most people are about the same; when sins are committed, there is an
endeavor to justify the behavior. There seems to be an almost universal
loathing to acknowledge mistakes, but the excuses that are offered when
attempting to justify wrong doing are worn threadbare. Some say that they
know the course to be wrong, but that they have gone so far in it that
they cannot change. It is possible to do this very thing, but one has not
arrived at this point if he still has the will to try. The position is
only hopeless when desire fails (Ecclesiastes 12:5) and instead of saying
that they cannot change they should be encouraged to say, "I can if I will."
Justification is attempted when people call sin by pretty names. Witchcraft
is called a "St. Christopher's Medal, Lucky Charm, Rabbit's Foot," and
so on. Lying is called "Good Business" and approved if the results are
favorable to one's financial or religious standing. Cursing is called,
"Habit"; Gambling is referred to as "Playing"; Laziness is "Leisure"; Revelry
is "Having a good time," and on and on. These pretty names seem to soften
sin and make it less evil — to the guilty. There are those who attempt
to justify sin by hiding behind the screen of popularity. A sacrificing
of the soul on the altar of public approval is a poor trade, but one often
made. No amount of explaining will right the behavior when the world calls
the plays and the saints carry the ball toward worldly goals lest they
be booed by the stands. The Lord has set the standard, and His people are
to maintain it or be rejected in the judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). Righteousness
has never been the most popular course and never will be. (Matthew 7:13,14).
Sometimes the attempt to justification is made by saying, "Members of 'your
church' do it." This accusation is too often right, but they are no more
the standard than are those who are not members of the church at all. What
others do will not shield one from the wrath of God. Judgment is to be
pronounced upon individuals, and not upon groups so that any one can
be covered by the presence
of another. Sin is really committed because of moral blindness — people
just do not think! (Luke 23:24.)