Excuses

Excuses

MY QUESTION for GOD

What’s so wrong about making excuses?

A MOMENT with GOD

When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they . . . made plans to kill him. . . . Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? His blood would just give us a guilty conscience. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.

Genesis 37:18, 26-27

Joseph’s brothers altered their initial plan of killing Joseph to merely selling him into slavery. Rationalization of a “lesser” sin does not change sin from being sin. When you find yourself rationalizing your actions, it’s time to pause and truthfully assess your motives, your behavior, and the potential consequences. Rationalizing is trying to convince yourself that wrong is right or that sin isn’t so bad. For example, you make the excuse that lying is acceptable if it’s just a half-truth. You convince yourself that your choices have no consequences. The ironic part about rationalizing is that we think we are brilliant but we are actually acting foolishly. Be aware of how you might be making excuses for your actions rather than standing up for what is right.

DIVINE PROMISE

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Peter 2:12