In the context of biblical teachings, "excusing" refers to the act of justifying or defending one's actions or the actions of others, often in the face of wrongdoing or sin. The concept of excusing is closely related to themes of accountability, repentance, and forgiveness, which are prevalent throughout Scripture.

Biblical References and Themes

1. Human Nature and Excusing Sin: The Bible acknowledges the human tendency to excuse or rationalize sinful behavior. In Genesis 3:12-13, after Adam and Eve eat from the forbidden tree, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent, illustrating the inclination to deflect responsibility. This passage highlights the human propensity to excuse one's actions rather than confess and repent.

2. Conscience and Excusing: Romans 2:14-15 speaks to the role of conscience in excusing or accusing one's actions: "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them." This passage suggests that the conscience can serve as a guide, either excusing or condemning actions based on an internal moral compass.

3. Excusing Others: The Bible also addresses the importance of excusing or forgiving others. In Matthew 6:14-15 , Jesus teaches, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This passage underscores the necessity of excusing others' faults as a reflection of God's forgiveness toward us.

4. The Danger of Excusing Sin: Scripture warns against the danger of excusing sin, as it can lead to a hardened heart and separation from God. In Hebrews 3:13 , believers are admonished, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This verse highlights the deceitful nature of sin and the importance of mutual accountability to prevent excusing sinful behavior.

5. Repentance and True Excuse: True repentance involves acknowledging sin without excuse. In Psalm 51:3-4 , David exemplifies genuine repentance: "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge." David's confession demonstrates the importance of taking full responsibility for one's actions before God.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts and motives, ensuring that they do not fall into the trap of excusing sin in themselves or others. Instead, they are called to seek God's forgiveness and extend grace to others, fostering a community of accountability and love. The biblical perspective on excusing challenges individuals to live with integrity, guided by the Holy Spirit, and to uphold the truth of God's Word in all circumstances.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Excuse.

How Almighty God Will Goodly Answer for all those that for the ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER How Almighty God will goodly answer for all
those that for the excusing of themselves list not leave their business about ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the twentieth chapter.htm

That a Very Contemplative List not Meddle Him with Active Life ...
... contemplative list not meddle him with active life, nor of anything that is done
or spoken about him, nor yet to answer to his blamers in excusing of himself. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seventeenth chapter.htm

The Cloud of Unknowing
... contemplative list not meddle him with active life, nor of anything that is done
or spoken about him, nor yet to answer to his blamers in excusing of himself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/

Here Beginneth a Table of the Chapters
... contemplative list not meddle him with active life, nor of anything that is done
or spoken about him, nor yet to answer to his blamers in excusing of himself. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth a table of.htm

Whether Confession is According to the Natural Law?
... to the natural law, namely when one is called upon by the judge to confess in a
court of law, for then the sinner should not lie by excusing or denying his sin ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether confession is according to.htm

Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were ...
... the judgment will be not only for deeds, but for thoughts also, as the same Apostle
saith, "Their thoughts mutually accusing or else excusing one another, in ...
/.../34 now let us shew.htm

John Chapter viii. 21-25
... to deliver His people out of Egypt (you have read and know what you now hear; but
I recall it to your minds); He sent him trembling, self-excusing, but obedient ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxviii john chapter viii.htm

Unbelievers Upbraided
... Still, I am sure that it is quite possible for us to be doing our fellow-Christians
serious harm by excusing their unbelief, and by pitying them for it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/unbelievers upbraided.htm

The Tongue.
... how can we speak of the Gospel, when the first principles of morality are forgotten?
when Christians are excusing themselves, and slandering one another? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

The Way of Fellowship
... Sin always involves us in being unreal, pretending, duplicity, window dressing,
excusing ourselves and blaming others"and we can do all that as much by our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 3 the way of.htm

Excusing (4 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Excuse. Multi-Version Concordance Excusing (4 Occurrences). ... (DBY). 2
Corinthians 12:19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? ...
/e/excusing.htm - 7k

Excuse (13 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning, releasing, and
the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation. ...
/e/excuse.htm - 11k

Upbuilding (3 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Corinthians 12:19 Again, do you think that we are excusing
ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. ...
/u/upbuilding.htm - 7k

Therewith (53 Occurrences)
... work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith,
and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing 'them'); (ASV ...
/t/therewith.htm - 23k

Trumpet's (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 12:19 and trumpet's sound, and voice of words; which they that heard, excusing
themselves, declined the word being addressed to them any more: (DBY). ...
/t/trumpet's.htm - 6k

Thoughts (151 Occurrences)
... the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them,
and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them) (WEB ...
/t/thoughts.htm - 34k

Testifying (35 Occurrences)
... the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them,
and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them) (WEB). ...
/t/testifying.htm - 16k

Edifying (9 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). 2 Corinthians 12:19 Again, do you think that we are excusing
ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. ...
/e/edifying.htm - 9k

Execrate (4 Occurrences)

/e/execrate.htm - 7k

Excuses (1 Occurrence)

/e/excuses.htm - 6k

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