In the Bible, the concept of making excuses is often portrayed as a hindrance to obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. Excuses are frequently depicted as a means by which individuals attempt to justify their disobedience or lack of action. The scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that address the issue of excuses, highlighting the importance of accountability and the call to trust in God's provision and guidance.

Old Testament Examples:

1. Moses at the Burning Bush: When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses offered several excuses. He questioned his own ability, saying, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). Despite God's assurance of His presence, Moses continued to express doubt, citing his lack of eloquence: "O Lord, I am not eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue" (Exodus 4:10). God's response was to remind Moses that He is the Creator of the mouth and promised to help him speak.

2. Gideon's Reluctance: When called by God to save Israel from the Midianites, Gideon hesitated, expressing his feelings of inadequacy: "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (Judges 6:15). God reassured Gideon, saying, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man" (Judges 6:16).

New Testament Teachings:

1. The Parable of the Great Banquet: Jesus told a parable about a man who prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. However, those invited began to make excuses. One said, "I have bought a field and need to go see it," another, "I have bought five yoke of oxen and am going to try them out," and another, "I have married a wife, so I cannot come" (Luke 14:18-20). The parable illustrates how worldly concerns and personal priorities can lead individuals to reject God's invitation.

2. The Call to Follow Jesus: In Luke 9:59-62, Jesus encounters individuals who express a desire to follow Him but offer excuses for delay. One asks to bury his father first, and another wishes to say goodbye to his family. Jesus emphasizes the urgency and total commitment required to follow Him, stating, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

Apostolic Writings:

1. Paul's Exhortation to the Romans: In Romans 1:20, Paul writes about the evidence of God's existence and attributes in creation, stating that people are "without excuse" for not acknowledging Him. This underscores the idea that excuses for unbelief are invalid in light of God's self-revelation.

2. The Call to Action in James: James 4:17 warns against the sin of omission, stating, "Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin" . This passage highlights the responsibility to act according to God's will, without resorting to excuses.

Conclusion:

The Bible consistently challenges believers to move beyond excuses and to trust in God's strength and provision. Whether through the examples of biblical figures or the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, the scriptures call for a life of obedience, faith, and readiness to respond to God's call without hesitation.Genesis 3:12,13
And the man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 4:1,10-14
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice: for they will say, The LORD has not appeared to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 32:22-24
And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: you know the people, that they are set on mischief.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 30:11-14
For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 6:12-17
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 19:19-21
So he departed there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle on him.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 5:10-14
And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 1:1,4-10
The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 8:21
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 9:59-62
And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 14:18-20
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray you have me excused.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 2:1
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are that judge: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things.
Nave's Topical Index

Solitude, Silence, Submission
... your case, next, to study the Scriptures concerning your case ... Oh, how ready sinners
are with their excuses! ... all; they have done it in such general and insincere ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/solitude silence submission.htm

An Examination of the Treatise of William Perkins Concerning the ...
... mode, refers to all acts in general, which can ... may only be correctly explained according
to the Scriptures. ... that conscience which accuses and excuses (Romans 2 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/an examination of the treatise.htm

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
... no knowledge but that of making excuses, and those ... inform your piety from the Holy
Scriptures themselves ... and possible, dearest brethren, the general Council and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/councils of ariminum and seleucia.htm

The Strait Gate;
... The answer in general is, Thou must strive lawfully ... cautions that are everywhere
in the Scriptures given us ... will seek to enter in by pleading excuses where they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
... An act of grace so general and unreserved, might lead men ... I Corinthians 4:7) Passages
in the Scriptures to this ... Let none presume to offer such excuses to their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvi the lamb of.htm

The Resurrection of Lazarus
... Oh that Christians in general, Oh that ministers in particular ... let us not any longer
make such frivolous excuses, but let ... The scriptures are silent concerning it ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the resurrection of lazarus.htm

On Idolatry
... and fitted to excogitate and invent excuses, nay even ... to it, are rejected by the
Scriptures, since they ... And this word, in its general acceptation, signifies ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

Sunday Before Lent
... such wisdom, such discernment of the Scriptures, is present? ... you is a devil." This
general faith, powerless ... love "beareth all things." It excuses every failing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

Acts i. 12
... his Master, ever discoursing from the Scriptures, and saying ... never; that others,
if they sin, have excuses made for ... come out of it, people in general have seen ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily iii acts i 12.htm

Anti-Pelagian Writings
... Hasty Judgments and Opinions; The Scriptures are Clear ... 23 [XXII.]--Pelagius' Double
Dealing Concerning the Ground ... Chapter 7.--Pope Zosimus Kindly Excuses Him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/

What does the Bible say about toxic relationships? | GotQuestions.org

Why are people irrational? | GotQuestions.org

What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.org

Excuses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus