I believe that in some sort of odd and twisted way, we can actually find comfort in the excuses we use to justify our choice to engage in sinful habits. Even though we hate the sin and we hate the consequences, we often choose to return to specific sinful behavior. Before we know it, our behavior has developed into a consistent pattern. When that pattern develops into a routine that we become familiar with, we then find ourselves in a cycle that is very difficult to break on our own.
In my own life there were seasons when I willfully chose such sinful behavior and patterns because I knew that I could always find an excuse to justify my sin. Much like a little child drags around his blankie all day for comfort and security, I needed excuses so that I wouldn’t have to take responsibility and admit that I simply wanted to fulfill the desires of my flesh. I had used such excuses as a security blanket for so long that I was afraid of whom I might really be without them. The sin, repent, repeat lifestyle had become so ingrained in me that I was unsure of who I would be if I walked away from those choices. If I did walk away and flee, I would no longer have an excuse to engage in blatant sin. That scared me because I knew that I could no longer hide and that would mean that I would be out in the open – exposed, naked and vulnerable – and this made me quite unsure of myself.
But through His goodness and grace, my life slowly began to be transformed into His likeness more and more. Standing in the open was initially awkward but absolutely freeing. I no longer felt chained to the repetitive lifestyle that brought about pain and hurt to myself and to those closest to me. I felt free to grow in the identity He gave me and not in the sins I had clung to for so long. My encouragement to you is to leave behind your security blanket of excuses and to walk in the freedom that was purchased for you through His death and resurrection. Just like a child leaves behind his blankie as he grows older, you too can leave behind your old sinful lifestyle and its invalid excuses.
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
2 Timothy 2:22
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