Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. – Proverbs 10:19

Today’s Scripture Reading (August 24, 2016): Proverbs 10

As we reach the end of summer, some people seem to be searching for a good excuse to get out of work so that they can enjoy the last lazy days of summer. However, individuals who deal with excuses caution those looking for an excuse that they need to be careful with the reasons that they use. Some of the best are health related. For just a single day, or portion of a day, no one is likely to argue with you about the splitting headache you might have or a doctor's appointment, or, if you are a woman, about the cramps you are experiencing at that particular time of the month (even Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui during the Olympics admitted that sometimes it is simply tough to get the job done as a woman.) But any excuse can be overused. And some need to be used with care. One PR executive admitted that one of his employees had been going through a tough two-year experience on the job. During that time his mother had died – twice – and he had the misfortune of losing all 12 of his grandparents. The warning one PR exec gives is simple. Never use the excuse of a death in the family unless it is true. That excuse will catch up with you.

Of course, as Christians we should realize that the truth is not out there, it is in us. Our words cannot make anything true. Often we use excuses, or we try to justify our behavior, but the use of a long and involved explanation does not make anything either correct or okay. And often, especially if we get caught in our lie like the person who lost all 12 of his grandparents and his mother twice, it makes the situation worse.

The advice of Proverbs is simple. Don’t try to excuse your behavior. Don’t multiply your words hoping to make everything okay. It doesn’t work. If there is a problem, then own up to it and move on. If you need a day off to bask in the fading summer sun, ask. If you are a valued employee who is making the company better, you might be surprised at the reaction you might get. Provided that there isn’t anything pressing, or someone can take your place, you might just get to enjoy that last summer fling. And know that the multiplicity of excuses doesn’t put anyone at ease – actually, it just makes them a little more suspicious.

Then when a real emergency comes up, you will also still be believed. (And you won’t have to keep a secret file on your computer reminding you of which relatives you have killed off and how they died. Which sometimes just gets too complicated.)

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 11