People Looking For An Excuse To Sin

Devin Dickey says he was just going for a jog late Sunday evening.  While pausing to  stretch, three men in a car stopped, and ordered him in the car at gunpoint.

After driving around for   awhile, they stopped and one the guys asked, “Do you know who Trayvon is?’

I said, “No,” thinking of somebody local.

He said, “Trayvon Martin.”

I said “Yes.”

He said, “I’m going to beat you … For Trayvon. ”

The three men then kicked and beat Dickey until he was knocked unconscious. Mississippi Police found him on the side of the road where they dumped him.

While not wide-spread, there have been several incidents of violent retaliation in protest to the Zimmerman trial and the not guilty verdict.

Monday night protestors ran through the streets of Los Angeles breaking windows, attacking bystanders and raiding a Wal-Mart store. Fourteen people were arrested on various charges of assault and vandalism.

In Oakland, hundreds of protesters stormed Interstate 880 near downtown blocking traffic in both the southbound and northbound lanes.

NBC news reported of scattered violence in cities both on the east and west coast.  However, no violent protests have been reported in Florida, where the trial was held.

Without commenting on the Zimmerman trial and the fairness of the verdict, I think the looting and violence over the verdict is just an excuse to sin.  It’s an opportunity to cause trouble.  Vent anger.  And express anti-Americanism.

In the aftermath of hurricane Kristina’s devastating assault on the Gulf Coast in 2005, people were plundering stores. They were not just taking food or water for survival, but televisions, shoes and electronic equipment. Some used this tragedy as an excuse to sin.

The city of New Orleans is known as a “party town” Ironically, as a part of an age-old religious celebration, Mardi Gras is a time for some to get drunk, expose themselves and engage in all manner of lewdness. It’s an excuse to sin.

When we lived in Tampa, I remember the concern of city leaders at the number of people who became intoxicated during the Gasparilla Day parade.  They had become a threat to those on the parade route.  The attitude of many was  “Hey, its Gasparilla, Let’s get drunk!”  It’s an excuse to sin.

And how often do we see violence, looting and public intoxication following a loss during a major sporting event?  The Super Bowl.  NCAA Championship.  Or NBA Championship.  And sometimes the rowdiness is found in the city of the winning team!  It’s just an excuse to sin.

While most of us abhor such an attitude, we need to be careful that we don’t use events, people or situations as an excuse to sin.

A husband is unfaithful to his wife. When the sordid affair comes to light, he says it was her fault. She’s wasn’t a good wife. She didn’t meet his needs. Adultery is then justified. An excuse to sin.

Someone slights us in some way in word or deed, and we “go off.” Angry words are uttered, ungodly actions are manifested. When the heat subsides, the excuse is offered, “he made me so angry.” An excuse to sin.

We feel a professor is unreasonable. His tests are too difficult. His demands excessive. His expectations are too high. Others are cheating. It will affect the curve. So, we cheat. We rationalize, I had no choice, others were too. An excuse to sin.

We may disagree with governmental policies, the President’s position on moral matters, or laws that we deem unfair.  We feel our tax money is  poorly managed.  Even spent on programs we protest.  So, cheat on our income tax.  We justify it saying, “I’m not supporting programs that are wrong!”  It’s an excuse to sin.

Let us all take responsibility for our actions. Unfair verdicts are not an excuse to sin. Celebrating is not an excuse to sin. Tragedy is not an excuse to sin. Unkind people, difficult situations or disagreeable circumstances are not an excuse to sin.

—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman