What is an excuse? It is a reason why you cannot do something. These reasons often appear negative, like “I forgot”, or “I am too tired”, or simply, “I can’t”, or “I don’t want to.” Sometimes, however, they may be legitimate, like, “I did not understand the instructions.” But, still, an excuse is an excuse. There is always a way to do something by asking for clarification or help.
When asked to do a task, and it does not get done, the person making the request will ask, “what’s your excuse?” “Why did you not get it done?” For example, a teacher gives a homework assignment to her students and some students do not get it done, so each one is asked, “And what’s your excuse?” Each student has a different answer. There are a variety of excuses.
As we do missionary work, we find many people making excuses as to why they do not want to serve God. It may be a financial issue, feeling the need to work seven days a week to support a family. For many it is the love of this world. They seem happy and content with the material wealth they have acquired, and the entertainments and social events they enjoy, or foods and drinks they wish to indulge in—all of which they do not want to give up for God. They enjoy this world so much that eternity is out of the picture.
It is true that nominal, half-hearted Christians who have not fully committed their lives to Christ, often find all kinds of excuses for not helping out in the church, whether it be cleaning, or doing missionary work. Regarding missionary work, we often hear excuses like, “it’s the missionary’s job,” “I don’t have the talent to give Bible Studies.” Or simply, “I don’t have time,” or “Sunday is my only day off and I want to relax at home as I am so stressed from my job and the Sabbath”, or then “I need to do a lot of my home chores on Sunday, I simply cannot take time out from my Sunday to do missionary work.” They try to find plausible excuses, rather than just saying, “I don’t want to.”
“Excuses are tools of the incompetent, and those who specialize in them seldom go far.” https://www.bookdepository.com/Excuses-are-tools-incompetent-those-who-specialize-them-seldom-go-far-Newprint-Publishing/9781672278010
Ben Franklin wrote, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” https://quoteinvestigator.com/2018/03/08/excuses/
Gabriel Meurier stated, “He who excuses himself, accuses himself.” https://allauthor.com/quotes/56877/
Jesus told a parable about a man who made a feast and then sent his servant to invite his friends. Unfortunately, his friends began to make excuses because they were preoccupied with the cares of this life. (Luke 14:16–20). They tried to find plausible excuses. None of them said simply, “I am tired,” “I don’t feel like it,” “I really don’t want to come.”
“And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” Luke 14:18–20
The first man said he had purchased a piece of property and needs to go see it. Surely he must have seen it before he purchased it. How few would buy a piece of land or a house before seeing it.
Similarly with the second man’s excuse. Would he not have tested the oxen prior to their purchase? He would have been foolish not to.
And, of course, we know that the third man could have taken his wife to the feast. He just wanted to enjoy his new bride and spend time alone with her. The pleasures of life were more important. She was his idol.
“All the excuses betray a preoccupied mind. To these intended guests other interests had become all-absorbing. The invitation they had pledged themselves to accept was put aside, and the generous friend was insulted by their indifference” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 222
“So it is now. The excuses urged for refusing the invitation to the feast cover the whole ground of excuses for refusing the gospel invitation. Men declare that they cannot imperil their worldly prospects by giving attention to the claims of the gospel. They count their temporal interests as of more value than the things of eternity. The very blessings they have received from God become a barrier to separate their souls from their Creator and Redeemer. They will not be interrupted in their worldly pursuits, and they say to the messenger of mercy, ‘Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.’ Acts 24:25. Others urge the difficulties that would arise in their social relations should they obey the call of God. They say they cannot afford to be out of harmony with their relatives and acquaintances. Thus they prove themselves to be the very actors described in the parable. The Master of the feast regards their flimsy excuses as showing contempt for His invitation.” –Ibid., p. 224
Now, we may argue that these excuses do not apply to me because I am in the church. These people mentioned in this parable are those outside the church. But think carefully about your life, and what your priorities are. Whether our names are on the church records or not, that will not save us. Our commitment to Christ and His cause is what will save us. Are we too busy with our houses and lands, our material goods, or families to go out and work for Jesus? Will we go to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, as that man in the parable sent his servants out to do? Are we the servants? Or the invited guests making excuses?
The most common excuse people make are:
Our Time: “If it is not Sabbath, I have little time for church work. Although I may have the talent, and there is a need, I simply am too busy. I do not have a lot of time on my hands.”
Our Money: “I know you are asking me to pay not only tithes but a generous offering, however, I just have a lot of expenses and hobbies that I have to take care of.”
When Jesus asked some people to follow Him, some made excuses. They did not really want to surrender all and follow so they made excuses that sounded plausible.
“And He said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59–62
Although these words of Jesus may seem harsh, Jesus could read the hearts of these men and knew that they were only making excuses. Was this man’s father really dead at that time? If so, the man would not have been in the company listening to Jesus. He would have been at home, mourning, and preparing for the funeral. Perhaps the man wanted to delay making a full commitment until after his father’s death, and then follow Jesus. This may have taken years. Similarly, Jesus knew that the second man was making excuses. Perhaps he wanted to go and speak with his family and friends and get their advice—and Jesus knew that they may dissuade him from returning to follow Him. They would come up with all kinds of excuses, such as financial loss or loss of enjoyment in this life.
Although Elisha, when called, also went back to say good-bye to his family. He first took the oxen and sacrificed them to God, clearly indicating his intention. His days of farming were over (1 Kings 19:19–21).
These two men both were, in reality, saying “not now, maybe later.” And Jesus sensed their reluctance and took every excuse away from them. He was telling them that the kingdom of heaven must be their greatest priority. There is no justification to putting off the call of Jesus, delaying, stalling and coming up with excuses to avoid doing what they know to be right. That is all it was—excuses.
Jesus example: “He came in humility, in order that the humblest being upon the face of the earth could have no excuse because of his poverty, or ignorance, and say, Because of these things, I cannot obey the law of Jehovah. Christ clothed His divinity with humanity, that humanity might touch humanity; that He might live with humanity and bear all the trials and afflictions of man. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. In His humanity He understood all the temptations that will come to man.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 925
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR SIN
Sin is sin, and most people are aware of what sin is. They often know when they are doing wrong, yet some do not care. Even if they, at times, may have sinned in ignorance, human nature likes to make excuses. There is a saying in English, “The Devil Made Me do it.” People say it as a joke when caught with some minor, unintentional mistake. Is this true? Nothing could be further from the truth. This saying has its origin with Eve in the Garden of Eden when she blamed God for making the serpent. The serpent “made her do it.” (Genesis 3:13). God did not accept Eve’s excuse and what a floodgate of sorrow and woe entered this world.
“The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness.” –Maranatha, p. 225
“The tempter’s agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God.” –Ibid., p. 311
“It is Satan’s act to tempt you, but your own act to yield. It is not in the power of all the host of Satan to force the tempted to transgress. There is no excuse for sin.” –Maranatha, p. 82
But, what if I did not know? Well, it is your duty to find out. “Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin, when there is every opportunity to know the will of God.” –The Great Controversy, p. 597–598. Study your Bible so you will not be found making excuses. It is all there.
Sometimes the only excuse we can give is, “I forgot.” “Many think it a sufficient excuse for the grossest errors to plead forgetfulness. But do they not, as well as others, possess intellectual faculties? Then they should discipline their minds to be retentive. It is a sin to forget, a sin to be negligent. If you form a habit of negligence, you may neglect your own soul’s salvation and at last find that you are unready for the kingdom of God.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 358
The Excuse of Anger: People often do irrational acts when they are angry, and then repent later, excusing their behaviour with the fact that they were angry. There is no excuse whatsoever to be angry. “It is a sin to speak impatiently and fretfully or to feel angry–even though we do not speak.” –Child’s Guidance, p. 95
You cannot blame your faults and failings on your parents and the way they raised you: “Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong-doing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 330
Romans 7 is not an excuse for sin. Many Christians love Romans chapter 7 in their battle against sin. “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Romans 7:14–20
They soothe their troubled conscience by stating that God loves them, and it is ok to keep sinning as long as they have a desire for good, then they are fine. We have a sinful flesh and cannot hope to do good when evil dwells within.
“Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians.” –Steps to Christ, p. 47–48
It is true that it is impossible for man of himself to resist the power of evil. A higher power must take possession of the soul before the evil passions can be subdued. Paul, in these verses, speaks of the frustration that comes to all who seek to attain righteousness in their own strength.
We could reword this quote in Steps to Christ by saying, many will be lost while hoping and desiring to overcome every sin. Reading further in Romans though, we find that the freedom from sin comes through a connection with Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1–2. Paul was thankful that there is hope. Christ came to condemn sin, not sinners. He came to set the sinners free from sin. “Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
“Cease to cherish and excuse sin; for sin caused the death of the Son of God.” –Gospel Workers, p. 466
Sometimes when people are asked to do a job, they feel inadequate. Or perhaps it is a really challenging job, so they start to think of excuses as to why they are not the best person for the job.
Moses and Jeremiah both came up with excuses when the Lord called them to their life work.
Jeremiah stated, “Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.” Jeremiah 1:6
The Lord answered by saying, “Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” Jeremiah 1:7
And Jeremiah went with no further excuses. “Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.” Jeremiah 1:9
When Moses had been living in the court of Pharaoh, he made a mistake and killed a man. He knew that he had been called to deliver Israel out of Egypt at some point in time. However, although he felt ready, God knew he was not. Moses needed another 40 years in the wilderness to learn patience while caring for sheep, to prepare for the task God was asking him to fulfil. Now Moses was an 80-year-old man who was a fugitive from justice. Humanly speaking, he was not the best man, but God sees things differently than we do. Was he really fit and ready to go and deliver Israel? Yes, after 40 years in the wilderness, God felt that it was time—that Moses was ready.
Now when called, Moses did not respond by saying, “Yes, I am ready. I will go.” Rather we see that Moses started to make excuses. He was very reluctant to go. He no longer felt he was the best man for the job.
The first excuse he gave is: “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11. In other words, “Who am I? Why choose me?” Implying that surely there is someone else better qualified. Moses felt unqualified to go to Pharaoh and demand he release the Israelites.
As mentioned at the beginning, some in the church feel that they are not as qualified as other to do a specific task. They do not have the talent to get the job done properly. If you say that you cannot do a specific duty, ask yourself, who knows best, you or God? If God asks you to do something, it is with full knowledge of your weaknesses. “For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14
The Lord responds to Moses that, “Certainly I will be with thee.” Exodus 3:12. It was not about what Moses can do. It is about what Moses and God can do together. The Lord took that excuse away immediately by promising to be with Moses.
The next excuse Moses gives is, “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? what shall I say unto them?” Exodus 3:13. Now Moses is asking God for more information. He cannot just go and demand the release of Israel. He needs to be able to tell them who is sending him. He feels he does not have enough information.
The Lord answers this easily by saying. “I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” v. 14. Then He adds, just to reinforce His identity. “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” Exodus 3:15
Do you feel you do not know enough about God to do the task He is asking of you? We are to go forward by faith and obey, trusting in God’s promises, and the Lord will reveal Himself.
Then Moses gives another excuse, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.” Exodus 4:1
To this excuse, the Lord does not give a direct answer, but answers with a question. He asks Moses, “What is that in thine hand?” v. 2. Moses simply answers, “A rod.” v. 2. It was nothing special. Just a plain simple shepherd’s rod; but was very important for him in his line of work. Moses’ rod was a shepherd’s rod. It was his employment—his livelihood. Now God is telling Moses, it is time for a change. Throw that rod on the ground—give Me that rod. Your employment will change now. The Lord then did two miracles that Moses could show to the leaders of Israel to confirm their faith (and the faith of Moses).
After experiencing the two miracles, Moses still has another excuse. “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Exodus 4:10
“The servant of God was still overwhelmed by the thought of the strange and wonderful work before him. In his distress and fear he now pleaded as an excuse a lack of ready speech.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 254. This was his last effort to escape the duty God was asking him.
The Lord had an answer for this excuse also. “And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth . . . have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Exodus 4:11–12. The Lord then sent Aaron, his brother, to help him out. Moses then went. There were no more excuses.
Many look at their lack of education, their age, their income, their skill, or their talents, and feel inadequate to do the duty the Lord asks of them. In truth, these are not legitimate excuses. There are no valid excuses. Our duty is to yield our lives into the Lord’s hand and allow Him to have free rein in our lives.
Regardless of the excuses that man comes up with for not doing the will of God, God always has an answer. There are no excuses that will be accepted.
God wants to use you. He has saved you by His grace and He wants to make something out of your life. The best thing you and I can do is to never make excuses and realize that God is able where we are not. Our heart’s desire should be, and must be, to serve Him at all costs, regardless of what He asks from our lives. After all, He gave His all. He gave His only Son to save the world. He asks no less from us. Are you willing to say to God, “Here am I; send me?” Isaiah 6:8
“Let each one say, ‘I am grieved that I yield to temptation, that my prayers are so feeble, my faith so weak. I have no excuse to plead for being dwarfed in my religious life. But I am seeking to obtain completeness of character in Christ.’” –In Heavenly Places, p. 122
“Paul did not seek to shield himself; he paints his sin in its darkest hue, not attempting to lessen his guilt. He says, ‘Many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.’ Acts 26:10, 11. He does not hesitate to declare that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.’ 1 Timothy 1:15.” –Steps to Christ, p. 41
And what is your excuse? You have none. Today, the Lord is asking you to surrender your life to Him. He may be asking you to go and do some task; he may be asking to surrender some darling sin. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27. Trust Him. He makes no mistake. He will take away all your excuses. Amen
Wendy Eaton