The Loser’s Limp

by Ron Adams
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 3, September 1993

I recall that several years ago, I heard a guest speaker refer to the ’loser’s limp.’ This phrase, he said, described the feigning of a handicap as the reason for not acting appropriately or not performing as required.

All of us know when we fail in our efforts. We know when we fail in job performance, family obligations, or our actions towards others. We feel the sting of our conscience pricking us. Feelings of guilt rush into our consciousness. Such feelings are troubling and must be dealt with.

If we are honest, we will admit to ourselves (and others) that we have fallen short, and with a change of heart, determine to correct the problem. If we seek to justify our failures, we develop the ’loser’s limp’—blaming some influence, force, or circumstance for our poor performance.

• "I can’t because..." is offered as justification for inaction.
• "He made me do it..." is submitted as the cause of irrational behavior.
• "If it weren’t for..." is submitted as a defense for wrongdoing.

Like the runner who, after running a poor race and feeling bad about his performance, conveniently develops a limp just before crossing the finish line, he thereby attempts to convince the observers that "it’s not my fault, I’m not able. Don’t criticize me. See, I have a limp!"

Similarly, people develop the ’loser’s limp’ when attempting to defend their transgressions, their insensitivity to the needs of others, and their poor attitude toward assembling for worship. They deceive themselves, thinking they are excused or justified. Most of the time, such limping is convincing only to the one doing it. Whether others buy such excuses is really unimportant; what is important is that the Lord scoffs at such nonsense. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" (Galatians 6:7-10).

Next time we find ourselves falling short in our performance as a Christian, let’s not feign the loser’s limp, but stand upright and accept full responsibility for our actions. Then, and only then, we are in a position to make the needed changes, to receive forgiveness from the Lord, and to have the support and understanding of the brethren.