It is said that we are made up of mind, body, and soul. The mind is where we store and use our intellectual abilities. We try to determine the rights and wrongs of our daily lives. In the last century, a guy named Freud came up with an explanation of why people act and react the way they do. Psychologists are always trying to explain God’s work. The simplest way to look at this is that we all have things in our brains that Freud called the “Id,” Ego,” and “Superego.” The “Id” is the primitive, instinctual part of the brain that helps us to not forget to breathe and eat, and that reproduces as a species. The “Ego” portion allows us to connect to the reality around us, what we think about ourselves, and to control what we want others to think about us. Our “ego,” when controlled, mediates between unrealistic thoughts and the world. Finally, the “Superego” is that inner voice that communicates regularly within us. The “superego” is our base of ethics, morality, self-control, and stabilizing factors that keep a check on our reality. Our body comprises biological systems that allow us to breathe, digest food, and ensure that the correct amount of blood carries oxygen. Much of the body is operated by the automatic systems that the “Id” oversees. The soul is usually referred to last because we probably understand it the least. The “soul” is called the “Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Conscience, and Spirit. It would be easy to confuse the “Superego” and the “Soul” because both seem to have our best interests at heart. With this knowledge, it would seem that we would have no reason to hide from our responsibilities and realities. We should never be less than credible and true with all God has given us.
In the very first Book of the Bible, we are told that God created all things and pronounced each creation as being “Good.” Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Later in the first Book, “God saw that it was good.” Based on these simple statements, everyone should know that God’s efforts are always perfect in every way, for God does not make any mistakes. To reinforce these ideas, Genesis 2:7 states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” Luke 9:57-62 reminds us that we face a considerable predicament: how reasonable Jesus is in challenging excuses for their superficial nature, because they mask genuine heart desire. The followers in Luke 9 were blinded by anxiety, self-doubt, and a lack of understanding. If a person were to stop and consider our daily lives, we would see that we suffer from the same problems as those who lived with Jesus. Excuses started early in the Bible. In Genesis 3:12, Adam blamed “that woman,” Eve, for tempting him with the apple. Eve blamed the serpent for deceiving her and “making her eat” the apple. In Exodus, Aaron blamed his followers for the golden calf; in First Samuel, Saul blamed Samuel for the unlawful actions; and the excuse-making has not slowed.
We, as humans, have been making excuses since the beginning. Something unique about us allows us to shift responsibility and blame for our shortcomings onto others. Excuses that shift accountability or blame others are another form of lying. We all desire to protect our self-worth, boost our self-esteem, and present ourselves in the best possible light. The psychologist will suggest that this is a human trait to protect us from anxiety. With many of these defenses, the problem we hide from always worsens, and more lies or excuses become necessary. The excuses tend to act like a poison that is not detectable until it has caused damage, whether intended or accidental.
We make excuses when we are caught in unbecoming circumstances. We hide from embarrassing moments when operating beyond our ability and make excuses, sometimes mistakenly buying us time to devise new ones. My favorite is making promises or taking on obligations and failing to perform them correctly. Rather than admitting that I forgot or had other commitments that interfered, it is much easier to devise some flimsy excuse.
We are reminded in John 8:32 that the truth will set you free. The Bible is full of examples where we are instructed to tell the truth and not make excuses. Going back to the Old Testament, in the Sixth/Seventh century, Jeremiah, in a conversation with God, is instructed to listen to what is being said and not to make excuses. Jeremiah 1:4-10 describes how God knew us before we were born. This verse reads, “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 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.” Jeremiah warns that we should listen to God and that many will make excuses and show fear. Then he tells us to be unafraid because God will be with us.
Then, much later, Paul has problems with the people of Colossae not following the rules set for the church and making excuses for their behavior. In Colossians 3:9, Paul begs the Colossians to quit making excuses and to start living in a way that is like Christ. Paul says, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
Ron Edmondson’s article titled “7 Excuses for Not Doing What God Has Called Us to Do” (December 12, 2018) lists some excuses for not following God’s plans. They are “I can’t,” “I don’t have time,” “I am alone,” “I am afraid,” “I can’t afford it,” “I don’t know how,” I don’t know what to say.” I have added one I sometimes see with friends, families, and associates. This one covers all the others and expands on the opposing position, “I won’t.” We all need to remember that God knows all the questions and answers, and everything there is to know about us, then, now, and in the future. So, telling the truth and giving up on the excuses would be good advice.