Reasons People Make Excuses

Excuses are as old as humanity itself. We’ve all made them at some point in our lives, whether to avoid blame, deny a problem, or simply to escape uncomfortable situations. But have you ever stopped to think about why we make excuses? What drives us to shift responsibility or deny the truth? Let’s study two key reasons people make excuses:

1. To get out of trouble and

2. To deny personal problems.

So now, let’s uncover the dangers of this habit and the spiritual lessons we can learn.

A. To Get Out of Trouble (Blame)

When faced with the consequences of our actions, it’s tempting to shift the blame onto someone or something else. The idea is simple: if I can deflect the blame, I might just get out of trouble. This tendency is nothing new; in fact, it goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

In Genesis 3:12-13, we find the first instance of blame-shifting:

"The man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’"

Here, Adam blames Eve, and by extension, God, for giving him the woman. Eve, in turn, blames the serpent for deceiving her. The only one not making excuses is the serpent! This highlights the human tendency to avoid taking responsibility by pointing fingers at others.

Blame-shifting might temporarily make the guilt or the threat of punishment less severe, but it doesn’t solve the problem. A Christian, however, is called to a higher standard. Instead of making excuses, we are encouraged to accept responsibility, confess our sins, and seek God’s forgiveness. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Confession, rather than excuses, is the pathway to redemption and healing. When we own up to our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, we allow God to cleanse us and restore us to righteousness.

B. To Deny a Personal Problem (Denial)

Another common reason people make excuses is to deny a personal problem. When confronted with their own shortcomings, many prefer to bury their heads in the sand rather than face the truth. This is particularly evident in the story of Aaron and the golden calf.

Aaron’s Excuses for the Golden Calf

In Exodus 32, while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites grew impatient and demanded that Aaron make them a god. Aaron succumbed to the pressure and crafted a golden calf for them to worship. When Moses returned and saw the idol, he was furious. He asked Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?” (Exodus 32:21).

Instead of taking responsibility, Aaron offered two excuses:

Excuse #1: “Do not let the anger of my lord burn; you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil.” (Exodus 32:22).

Translation: “It’s not my fault; it’s the people’s fault.”

Excuse #2: “I threw it [the gold] into the fire, and out came this calf.” (Exodus 32:24).

Translation: “It just happened; I had no control over it.”

Aaron’s excuses were an attempt to deny his own responsibility for the situation. The real issue, as Exodus 32:25 points out, was that “Aaron had let them get out of control.” As the High Priest and leader, Aaron failed to guide the people in righteousness. Rather than admit his failure, he chose to make excuses.

This kind of denial is dangerous because it prevents us from addressing our real issues. Proverbs 30:12 warns us about self-deception:

"There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness."

When we deny our sins or make excuses, we deceive ourselves and fail to recognise the need for repentance. 1 John 1:8 underscores this truth:

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Denial and excuses keep us trapped in a cycle of unrepentance and spiritual stagnation. The only way to break free is through honest self-reflection and confession.

The Consequences of Excuses

Excuses may provide temporary relief, but they come with long-term consequences. When we blame others or deny our problems, we miss the opportunity for growth and healing. Worse, we risk distancing ourselves from God, who calls us to live in truth and integrity.

Instead of making excuses, we are called to take responsibility for our actions and seek God’s help in overcoming our weaknesses. The Bible offers us a model of confession, repentance, and reliance on God’s grace. By following this path, we can break free from the cycle of excuses and move toward spiritual maturity.

Reasons People Make Excuses – Part 1

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