1 Sam 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart .” NKJV
- Ps 139:2; Prov 17:8; 21:2; Haggai 2:11-14; Matt 5:27-28; 23:5; 1 Cor 13:3; 1 john 1:6; Rev 2:4; 3:1;
- First off it is important to know that God is more concerned with the heart then he is with outer appearance. That is not an excuse to ignore our outer appearance. This verse tells us that man looks at the outward appearance. How are you presenting yourself? We are ambassadors of God 2 Cor 5:20. People look at us, how we present ourselves, and how we live our lives as Christians and see God that way. The Word tells us we are meant to be above reproach Col 1:22; 1 Tim 3:2;
Luke 2:50-51
50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ESV
- Sometimes parents don’t understand. This has become one of the most commonly mentioned excuses for kids to do what they want, instead of honoring their parents. Most of the time the parents actually understand more then kids. However, kids doesn’t see the big picture, even when parents don’t understand, it isn’t an excuse to do your own thing. Jesus’ parents truly didn’t understand, yet He was submissive anyway. We need to have the same attitude that Jesus had. Eph 6:1-2;
Matt 25:26
26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? ESV
-God is not a fan of excuses. He didn’t pardon the lazy servant on account of him being afraid. He heard him making excuses and then the Lord called him wicked. An excuse says that you don’t think your own behavior is acceptable, so you try to explain your unacceptable behavior.
-When we make excuses it tends to place the blame to something external so we don’t have to take responsibility or change. Those who make excuses won’t grow because they say it was someone else’s fault, there is nothing they can do, or so they claim.
-Am I making excuses? Prov 24:12. God help me to take responsibility for my actions. I want my every action to honor you, and if something isn’t then I want to change and do better.
- Wicked, lazy Prov 26:13;
Jer 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
- Over and over again we see that God’s plan for us was written before we were born. We or I often don’t feel like we have what it takes, but God knew what He was making and He had the plan in mind from before He made you. My weaknesses aren’t a surprise to God. No excuse we can come up with is really valid to present to your designer and creator. Any place we are inadequate He is aware of and expects us to rely on His strength instead of our own 2 Cor 12:9.
- Ex 4:2; 2 Chron 29:11; Prov 24:12; Gal 1:15; Isa 49:1,5; Luke 1:15; Rom 1:1; Eph 2:10;
1 Sam 13:12
12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” ESV
- Saul’s excuses continue. As he moves on he states how because of Samuel being late and the people leaving he was forced to do what was forbidden. This is in no way shape or form his fault or even a sin in his eyes. He has no intent of changing. When you get confronted with your sin, or mistakes do you look for a reason you don’t need to change why it wasn’t your fault, or how you can change to prevent it from ever happening again?
Prov 24:12
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? NKJV
- Excuses
- Excuses don’t work well with your creator.
- Gen 3:12; Ex 4:10-12; 32:22; 1 Sam 13:11-12; 15:13-28; 16:7; Prov 20:4; Ecc 12:14; Jer 1:5; Matt 6:4; 25:25-26; Acts 7:22; Eph 2:10
- He sees through every excuse we make, He sees our heart. Most of our excuses are insults to God any how. He created us, to say to God “I can’t… “, “But I am not smart enough”, “tall enough”, or “talented enough”…. Is to tell God that He did not make you right and doesn’t know what He is talking about. No excuse will do as we stand before God.
- Lord Help me to live a life without excuse, an excuseless life. Help me to walk in Your ways, and when they seem to big for me help me to go on in Your strength.
- Those that refuse to admit they have a problem or that they made a mistake are doomed to repeat it. Prov 26:11;
- Just because you can justify it doesn’t make it okay. Prov 30:11-12; Rev 3:17; What we justify and what God considers justified are very different Rom 1:32; 14:22; It says to be careful not to condemn yourself by what you approve of. Those who confess their sins find mercy those who don’t are condemned Prov 28:13;
Gen 3:11-12
11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. ESV
- Blame came with Sin. The first sin had the blame passed from Adam to Eve to the Snake. No one wanted to own up to it, they all just wanted to show God it wasn’t their fault. Prov 24:12; Then we see Cain blow it and get questioned in Gen 4:9 he denies his sin. And then claims he can’t handle the punishment. Apparently taking responsibility for our actions doesn’t come naturally. In John 5:1-8 Jesus talks to the cripple by the pool and he blames his lack of help for not being healed. When we refuse to take responsibility for our action, and claim it is someone else’s fault, we don’t change, we don’t get free. As long as it is everyone else’s fault there is nothing we can do to fix it. 1 Sam 13:11-12 shows Saul’s refusal to take responsibility for his actions. Saul goes so far as to say he had to force himself because of everyone else’s mistakes. While David showed us a very different example Ps 51:1-2; and 2 Sam 12:13. David and Saul’s different responses to being told they blew it brought different reactions from God. The one who made excuses received punishment, while the one who acknowledged his sin received mercy as is promised in Prov 28:13.
- Lord, help me to admit my sin and receive your forgiveness. Lord don’t let me make excuses to continue in my sin.
Prov 24:12
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? NKJV
- Excuses
- Excuses don’t work well with your creator.
- Gen 3:12; Ex 4:10-12; 1 Sam 16:7; Ecc 12:14; Jer 1:5; Matt 6:4; 25:26; Acts 7:22; Eph 2:10
- He sees through every excuse we make. He sees our heart. Most of our excuses are insults to God any how. He created us. To say, “God I can’t”… “But I am not smart enough, tall enough, or talented enough”, is to tell God that he did make you right and doesn’t know what he is talking about. No excuse will do as we stand before God.
- Lord help me to live a life with out excuses; an excuseless life. Help me to walk in your ways, and when they seem too big for me, help me to go on in your strength.
Prov 26:11
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. NKJV
- Lord let me learn from my mistakes.
Prov 26:12
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. NKJV
- [Prov 29:20; Luke 18:11; Rom 12:16; Rev 3:17.] AMP
- If you don’t admit your mistakes you are doomed to repeat them. Can you admit it when you blow it or do you make excuses? An excuse is your reason not to change, why it wasn’t your fault so you don’t have to change. (Prov 16:18) much of the problem in pride stems from refusing to admit flaws.
Luke 16:15
Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. NKJV
- Are excuses tend to impress us But God is not impressed.
