Sin Is A Master of Excuses

I hear Cain complaining. He questions God's judgment and chiding of him. He deflects and shifts the blame to God for his misdoing.

Criminologists and forensic psychologists tell us that the incarcerated almost never accept responsibility for crimes done. Instead they point to other persons, circumstances, or other influences as scapegoat to justify their acts.

That shouldn't shock us. Why? Most of us possess the same problem. We've actually become more sophisticated about it in our time. We use clever terminology and reasoning to make our wrongdoing - e.g. lying, stealing, adultery - less distasteful.

Sin is a master of excuses. It rarely faces itself. It never admits itself at fault. It's a common source of brokenness and destruction in people's lives.

If we are to heal from the wound of sin, we must be willing to face our self with honesty and submit to God for cleansing.

"In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.' ”  (Genesis 4: 3-7)