Excuses

Dear Victor,

Why do people make excuses for their own bad behaviors and poor choices?

Michael E. - Sachse, TX

Dear Michael,

I suspect it is because we are embarrassed by our bad behaviors and poor choices. We know how bad and poor they are!

Seriously, just because people know right from wrong doesn't mean that knowledge controls their behaviors and choices. (The Apostle Paul wrote about this human dilemma in Romans 7.) So even the best of people are left with proverbial egg on their faces when forced to deal with the consequences of their poor choices and the indications of their bad behaviors. This is never pleasant.

For some reason, we believe the lie that excusing, blaming and justifying will make the situation look better than it really is. I think it's called denial. And it's as old as the human race. Consider that Adam and Eve both engaged in it in the Garden of Eden when God confronted them with their own bad behavior and poor choices.