Integrity and honesty go hand in hand. Only when we are honest with our fellow men and with ourselves can we maintain integrity. Furthermore, when we become accustomed to deceiving or defrauding those we interact with, we can easily find ourselves drawn into attempting to deceive ourselves or our Heavenly Father. When we seek to justify our misbehavior, we make repentance impossible.
According to President Kimball, almost all dishonesty stems from self-justification. When we strive to rationalize or make excuses for sin, it can be easy to break the commandments of God. “It’s just a little piece of candy in this great big store, they won’t miss it,” we might tell ourselves. Or, “I’ve been very good for most of my life; surely the Lord will overlook this minor indiscretion.”
President Kimball goes on to note that “self-justification is the enemy of repentance.” You see, when you feel that your actions are acceptable or not wrong, it is pretty much impossible to feel true sorrow for them. If you do not feel that you have done wrong, you will not change or make amends.
In my life, I have occasionally fallen to self-justification. Not that I have justified any major sins; most of my struggles are with what President Kimball terms “sins of omission.” Perhaps I don’t do my visiting teaching to the best that I am able to, or maybe I neglect my scripture study or family home evening. I am very quick to make excuses – well, I have four little ones and it is so hard to get out, or to have some time alone to read, or to prepare a lesson. (My children tend to be my excuses.)
There are some things that the Lord may not expect us to do given our circumstances, but I already know that the three I’ve mentioned do not fall in that category. If the Lord gives us a calling or a visiting teaching assignment, He has a reason for it. And certainly having small children is not a reason to hold consistent family home evenings – it should be a reason to! As for scripture study – well, it is all a matter of prioritizing, isn’t it?
If you find yourself making excuses, stop for a minute and ask yourself if you are truly free from blame, or if you are justifying yourself. The easiest way to tell is whether or not you have that sinking feeling of guilt in your stomach. Right now, I have a strong desire to attend the temple nearly five hours away, but I can’t manage that with a new baby. I am saddened but do not feel guilty. But when it comes to family home evening – well, I duck my head in shame.
Be honest with yourself when you feel unable to accomplish something the Lord has asked. Try to determine if you are making excuses or if you are sincere. Pray about it and ask the Lord to help you accomplish whatever tasks you struggle with. He will surely help and sustain you.
For other articles on President Kimball’s lesson, click on the RS/EQ Lesson link at right.
Related Articles:
RS/EQ: Casually But Not Devoutly
RS/EQ: Ye Ought ‘Not Procrastinate the Day of Your Repentence’
Gospel Doctrine: “I Am A (Spiritual) Child of God”