How do I make excuses for my sin? I am prompted to ask this question of myself during a Bible study I am working through on the book of Romans in which the author suggests we are prone to excuse our sins.1
We justify harsh words with such excuses as exhaustion or a tight schedule. Sharing degrading information about another person is disguised as a prayer request rather than labeled gossip. We claim a lie as protection rather than deception.
Yet God wants us to acknowledge our sin.
“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” Psalm 51:6 NIV
David, the author of this Psalm, needed a radical transformation of his inner self so that he might learn wisdom and adopt God’s perspective on all things, writes Tony Evans in his commentary on the Bible. “We need the same,” he states.2
How do we get such a radical transformation of our inner self… letting go of inappropriate thought processes, negative emotions, and self-absorption? How do we begin to see all things from God’s perspective?
Here’s three ways to radically transform our inner self and stop excusing sin:
–Ask God to examine our heart to uncover excuses for sin.
Long ago I was taught to pray Psalm 139:23-24 before my morning devotions so as I read my Bible the Holy Spirit would convict me of any sin I harbored in my heart.
The Psalm reads: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
The Holy Spirit’s conviction is not the same as the accusations brought by Satanic forces. To be shown where we have gone astray provides opportunity for correction and we desire to repent. And the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He brings to our mind Scripture that addresses the issue and shows us how to walk it out. He lovingly tutors us in righteousness. [The next blog post [Oct. 29] will focus on the how-to of repentance.]
–Determine the appropriate response to the Scripture we study.
Keep a list of questions in your Bible so after you have determined the meaning of the text you can contemplate questions that will result in an appropriate response.
Ask: What response does God want from me?
–Is there anything I need to confess and ask forgiveness for?
–Is there an error to avoid?
–Is there an example to follow?
–Is there a sin to forsake?
–Is there a promise to claim?
–Is there an action I should take?
–Is there a command to obey?
–Is there a warning to heed?
[If you would like a more detailed list of questions, signup for my mailing list and receive a walking paper titled “Transformation Questions to Glean More from Scripture”]
–Replace excuses for sin with memorized Scripture.
As we memorize Scripture, we go over a verse time and again. This close examination helps us notice subtle nuances we never noted before. The words are not only captured in our brain they become ingrained in our heart.
If we make excuses for gossip, what verses might we examine?
–Psalm 141: 3 “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” With this verse we ask the Lord for help, not only acknowledging our problem but seeking the power of the Holy Spirit to refrain from repeating gossip.
–Proverbs 15:4 “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Words matter. They can be life giving or destructive. This verse magnifies the power of our words. It should help us consider whether our words will build up or tear down.
–Proverbs 26:20 “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” Divisiveness is fueled by gossip. Before we pass along information that fractures unity within a church, a family, or among friends we might think about the destruction we are causing and what might occur if we keep quiet.
This same method of gathering Scripture can be used with other areas of sin with which we struggle. Research the verses that address anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, judgmental attitudes, or whatever sin you tend to excuse and memorize them. Combine this with the other two tips and soon you will have no need for excuses.
©2024 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved
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