Justifying our Sins

12 Years a Slave haunted me earlier this week when I watched it for the first time.  It was difficult to imagine people who could justify their behaviors of cruelty to others.  A free man, Solomon Northrup, was kidnapped and sold into slavery.  His "free papers" were taken, as well as his identity.  The kidnappers justified their action as financial need, as well as a belief that Solomon's race was inferior. 

He was sold first to "Master Ford," a benevolent slave owner, if there is such a thing.  He showed concern and kindness to his slaves, but some of the comments made by both he and his "Mistress" showed the underlying view that it was fine to own people.  They genuinely believed that people could be bought and sold, for the purposes of work.  He did not want to hear that Solomon was free and sold him to another owner.  

This is when the story becomes truly horrifying to watch.  "Master Epps" was shown to repeatedly rape and abuse his slaves, quoting Bible verses that showed his belief that all of his actions were condoned by God.  He never wavered that he was right in his actions.  They are property, after all.  The story continues to unfold until one outsider finds out the story of a free man who was kidnapped, and reported it.  Solomon was rescued because one man did not conform to the common worldview that it is fine to own other person, even though the law permitted it.  

How does a man become so warped in his belief system?  Consider this Bible verse: Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions.  And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. ~James 1:15 (NLT) He probably started by first conforming to his society of people who believed people could be owned.  Then, slowly his thoughts became actions.  Each action he took did not have a negative consequence in his mind, and the next action became easier to take.  Eventually, he found it fine to rape and beat his slaves on a regular basis.  He was on the path to death.

Can we become warped in our thinking, condoning acts that are unthinkable?  YES! It has been proven that we can find ourselves down the path if we took baby steps along the way.  I have written about this before in The Corruption of a Leader.  

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.  They will reject the truth and chase after myths.  ~2Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

It's so important to stay grounded in the absolute truth of the Bible.