“Every excuse we make for a wrong we know how to name makes it easier to excuse the next one.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
Isaiah’s warning can feel easy to apply until it reaches something we want to defend. We call gossip “concern” because we would rather tell the story than keep it to ourselves. We call resentment “discernment” because admitting how much we want someone to fail would embarrass us. And when someone tells us a truth we would rather avoid, we may call it unkind before asking whether it’s true. I think Isaiah’s words should make us pause right there. What would I call this same behavior if someone else did it to me?
A crooked ruler can make a crooked cut look straight. In the same way, when we adjust our moral standards to fit our choices, we can spend years feeling justified while doing real harm. God gives us moral law so we can see where our choices lead. We are free to speak honestly or to hide behind half-truths, but only one of those habits builds the trust that lets a family, a friendship, or a community flourish. Every time we tell the truth when an excuse would be easier, we practice using our freedom well.
There is hope in naming a wrong plainly. “I was cruel” is hard to say, but it gives us somewhere to begin. We can apologize to the person we hurt. We can ask the Lord to forgive us and help us respond differently the next time. And when it’s our turn to tell someone a difficult truth, we can remember how much courage it took to face our own. Jesus Christ teaches us to tell the truth with the humility of people who depend on His mercy every day.
Scripture:
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” — Isaiah 5:20
Daily Application:
Name one choice you’ve been excusing. In prayer, describe it plainly to God and commit to one step you can take today to make it right.