My youngest son believed his older brother to be a great hero. We came upon our youngest right after he broke something. He immediately proclaimed that his brother did it. We reminded him that his brother wasn’t home. It didn’t matter to our young son. He didn’t want to be caught or punished, so he blamed his brother. Humans tend to tell others what they want them to believe or what it is believed the other wants to hear.

Wanting justification and/or forgiveness without consequences shows prominently in every form of media we experience. The media also shows that those avoiding honesty are willing to see others being punished because they are not of the same mind, thought, and/or priorities in life. Some of the most brutal people on the planet seem to be those crying out for acceptance without equal willingness to show it in return.

Accountability is tough. It is facing your responsibilities regardless of what anyone else faces. It is standing in the face of your own right and wrong honestly, without hiding, without avoiding, and accepting what comes from the actions or behaviors.

Like my son, confusion comes when we deceive ourselves that mistakes can be covered up or will go unseen. Lies always tell on themselves. It may take a while, but they will be revealed. It is easier to face earlier than later.

My son got in trouble twice, once for breaking something and another for lying. We have seen politicians create more crimes in their cover up than the original issue, all while being run to the ground by reporters.

There is a place in each of us where we want truth to be as we want it rather than as it is. I recognize this in me. I have become more sophisticated as I aged, but sometimes my behavior is little different from my son: cover up, blame others, act as though it didn’t happen. No one wants to be punished, even when it is amply deserved.

The church was created to focus on God and to create a loving environment where people can have the courage to face themselves honestly. God meets us where we are and is not confused by where we tell Him we are. Honesty with Him is a basic requirement. It is the best and safest path.