If They Knew Why Did They?

How many of you have heard someone say, “well if he knew why did he do it?” Or maybe you have even scratched your head wondering similarly. Often times we see or hear about brothers or sisters falling short, making certain offenses, or committing various sins and wonder why did they make that decision in the first place? Why would they even do things that may stain their name or reputation? Especially, if they knew better or were aware of the consequences. Did they simply just do whatever they wanted to do? Or do they need more grooming? Maybe their youth? Or something else all together?

James 2:4 KJVS

[4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Well, let me put it in perspective in ways you may relate. The scriptures speak in many places of diligence, as I am sure you are aware of. Yet, why then are you late? Why then do you procrastinate? Why then do you make void the scriptures and choose to be slothful? Again, Consider the following scriptures below as it relates to you.

Colossians 3:20 KJVS

[20] Children, obey your parents in ALL things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22-24 KJVS

[22] Wives, SUBMIT yourselves unto your own husbands, AS unto the Lord. [23] For the HUSBAND is the HEAD of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. [24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in EVERY THING.

Colossians 3:19 KJVS

[19] Husbands, LOVE your wives, and be not bitter against them.

I am sure you have read or heard these scriptures before. So if you KNOW why then do you not wholly OBEY or DO? But rather give place to the devil through your disobedience? And now offend or sin? And further make excuse as to why you couldn’t, shouldn’t or won’t?

Luke 6:36-37 KJVS

[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. [37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Many of us become disconnected from the bible we read and life as we live it. We may even forget that we are still actively living within its pages and are still dealing with the same people we read about weekly. All you have to do is read the book and look up and you will see many of the same scenarios play out before your very eyes.

Adam knew and understood what the Most High had told him to do and not to do. Yet he sinned. So what happened? In due process of time, the seduction/ temptation of Eve caused Adam to veer off the path the Most High set him on. Boom…that’s it. And this scenario is played out again and again with many of our forefathers and the people of the children of Israel until this very day. Samson, Saul, David, Solomon just to name a few notable individuals fell short under a very similar scenario. David knew Bathsheba was married, because he sent men to inquire of her status (2 Samuel 11:3-5). And knowing the law he knew not to lust, covet, commit adultery etc. Yet he fell short. Okay well maybe more grooming will fix it. Or maybe more wisdom. Oh, if he were older! Consider Solomon, there was not a wiser man in all the earth at his time (1 Kings 4:30-31) and he was groomed by his father (1 Kings Ch. 2) as well as his mother (Proverbs Ch. 31). Proverbs chapter 31 is the letter from his mother Bathsheba informing Solomon on what to look for in a woman and how to move as a king. Yet, some time shortly after he became an aged man, an elder, he went astray from the very counsel David and Bathsheba his parents taught him (1 Kings Ch. 11).

Others however, fell short due to a different set of scenarios. Some fell due to errors made preceding events that destabilized them or made them vulnerable preceding the errors. You see this with notable individuals such as Noah, Lot, and Moses. God spoke to Moses and told him to speak to the rock. Yet, Moses smote the rock.

Numbers 12:3 tells you he was the most meek individual at the time on the face of the earth. However, you read throughout the “Books of Moses” and even in the beginning of Numbers chapter 20 that the people were constantly complaining and it vexed Moses. Imagine the frustration he must have had that built up and caused him in his frustration/ anger to smite the rock. Or the grief that Noah and Lot must have felt that made them vulnerable to being drunk. Both were older, both lost many family and friends. Although they could not change the judgement, imagine them replaying conversations in their head, “why didn’t Uncle, Aunt, Cousin so and so listen”.

You read about many individuals that made grievous errors that they themselves knew were wrong and would have even counseled others against, yet fell short themselves. Why? Because we are still in the flesh and subject unto sin. And all it takes is a little leaven, a moment of weakness, or certain events that weaken us and under the right conditions you can find yourself in the same boat. Again, take Job for example. He was spiritually strong, yet even he reached his breaking point. And as events in his life continued to go left so did his mindset and reasoning. But in due season the Most High corrected him and uplifted him again.

There is never any pass to sin, however, the Most High is gracious to forgive us of our sins if we sincerely repent and fight to do better moving forward.

Romans 7:14-25 KJVS

[14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

All in all, you can see the pattern. All the grooming, knowledge, and wisdom in the world is not a guarantee that you will be safe from sin or falling short. And sometimes events in our lives happen that cause us not to perform as righteously as we should in ALL things. The next time you may see your brother or sister fall short consider what they may have been going through at the time. As well as the things you fall short on.

Galatians 6:1-2 KJVS

[1] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. [2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.