Another justification: “I’ve already put a lot of time and effort in to this that will be lost if I stop. Let me finish it first.” That’s a sunk-cost fallacy, but we still fall for it.

This comment is a good point: “We will continue to cling to the rubbish as long as we see potential for value.” It’s often hard not to be fooled by the fake beauty of something Satan puts before us and realize that it really, completely is garbage. Plus, there is that “something deadly” within us that sees the darkness as beautiful (this makes me think of the “double-minded man” James talks about–1:8, 4:8)/ Sometimes I think the problem also stems from underlying fears, like if this is rubbish, do other things in my life need to be re-evaluated…does everything in my life need to be re-evaluated? I think the only way for time and energy spent on garbage not to be a waste is to use the lesson learned there to reevaluate other areas of our life, but still, when you are faced with major changes, it can be scary.

There are always tons of justifications from ourselves and others. Here are a few I’ve either made or heard:

God wants us to be happy.
It’s not hurting anyone.
God gave us these desires.
Love comes from God, so it’s okay to do whatever if you’re in love.

All of these can be quicky shot down with even a tiny dose of Scripture, but when you’re already dwelling on something that is either downright sinful or that distracts you from God, you’re already in a dangerous place. In such a place, you want to hear the lies (and there are plenty of people and plenty of feelings in your heart to supply those lies); they are much more pleasing than the truth that tells you to stop, get out, flee the devil, and run to God.

Thanks for sharing these thoughs. I look forward to reading your ideas about sorting out the truth about the things we justify in your next post.