Personal Inertia

I believe that people are basically consistent. Not necessarily with what they say, but in their actions. If we truly know somebody and their situation, what they do will make sense. People seem to act in a contradictory manner because we don't completely understand them or what is going on. It's sort of like the Bible. One of the commandments is thou shalt not kill. But the Israelites are later commanded to kill everybody in the lands they invade, including little children. This looks very contradictory. But when you see the principle behind it, it makes sense. The worth of the soul is great. So do not kill, because that person is very valuable. But if killing all these people now will save several generations of souls later, then it is for the best. Because it is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. Or it is better to kill one generation if it will prevent many future generations from falling into spiritual death.

If we really saw exactly what each person held most valuable, and what was being asked in each situation, it would make sense. Unfortunately, we can't see that. I think we can't even know ourselves completely, let alone everybody else.

Yes, people change. Not always consciously or on purpose. But these changes are usually in response to something. And for the most part, especially over the short term, people follow the law of inertia- they keep on going the way they have been.