Lying appears to come natural to certain people. Perhaps, known liars are simply story tellers in the making or future writers. Nonetheless, when it comes to telling the truth or making up an excuse, human nature has a way of choosing the latter. After promising to obey God and His commands in Genesis 26:4-5, Isaac reverts back to trusting in himself in the passage below, using fear as an excuse to lie.
And the men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife—[thinking], Lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is attractive and is beautiful to look upon. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah his wife. 9 And Abimelech called Isaac and said, See here, she is certainly your wife! How did you [dare] say to me, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I thought, Lest I die on account of her, Genesis 26:7-9.
Perhaps, a modern example would be a Catholic participating in the Confirmation Process who goes to confession. Whatever the issue is or was, this teenager pours out his heart to the priest on the other side of a glass window. Following this refreshing experience, this boy quickly returns to this same sinful act. Rather than exhibiting acts on contrition, excuses are made to justify the choices and decisions that he makes in life.
But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? 10 He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate. 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, What is this you have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled (cheated, outwitted, and deceived) me, and I ate, Genesis 3:9-13.
One of the most famous Bible verses dealing with excuses occurs in the passage above. When confronted about breaking the only rule in the Garden of Eden, Adam blames the woman that God created. As God turns His attention toward Eve, she blames the Serpent for deceiving her. No one takes responsibility for their action, placing the blame on others with excuse after excuse. If you’re wise, let the words of 2 Corinthians 5:10 sink in so you’ll be ready to face the wrath of God on Judgment Day, Romans 10:9-11.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 