We all make excuses from time to time—whether to avoid a task, cover a mistake, or justify our actions. The Bible has plenty to say about making excuses and encourages us to own our responsibilities and be accountable. Scripture calls us to step up, face our challenges, and trust in God’s strength rather than leaning on excuses. Let’s see what the Bible teaches about overcoming excuses and living with intention.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Taxes
Bible Verses About Excuses
Exodus 3:11 – When God calls us, we might feel inadequate
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ – Exodus 3:11
Luke 14:18 – People often make excuses to avoid commitments
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ – Luke 14:18
Proverbs 22:13 – Some use excuses to avoid responsibility
“The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’ – Proverbs 22:13
Matthew 21:28 – A call to action may be met with resistance
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ – Matthew 21:28
Proverbs 26:13 – The eager excuse-maker finds reasons to procrastinate
“The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!’ – Proverbs 26:13
Jeremiah 1:6 – Doubts can become excuses to avoid God’s calling
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’ – Jeremiah 1:6
Luke 9:62 – We should not let excuses deter our commitment
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ – Luke 9:62
Hebrews 10:25 – Excuses can keep us from fellowshipping together
“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
1 Samuel 15:20 – Avoiding responsibility through excuses
“But I did obey the Lord! I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.” – 1 Samuel 15:20
Romans 14:12 – We will give an account, so we cannot hide behind excuses
“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” – Romans 14:12
Exodus 4:10 – Feelings of inadequacy can lead to excuses
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.'” – Exodus 4:10
James 4:17 – Knowing what to do yet making excuses is a sin
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” – James 4:17
Matthew 22:5 – People can be too busy with excuses to accept God’s invitation
“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.” – Matthew 22:5
Proverbs 12:27 – Laziness breeds a culture of excuses
“The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.” – Proverbs 12:27
Luke 9:59-60 – Excuses can distract us from following Christ
“He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'” – Luke 9:59-60
Proverbs 15:19 – A lazy person uses excuses to avoid work
“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” – Proverbs 15:19
Matthew 25:25 – Fear can lead to excuses for inaction
“So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” – Matthew 25:25
Proverbs 10:4 – Diligence diminishes the need for excuses
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” – Proverbs 10:4
Luke 14:20 – Some distractions are merely excuses
“Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.'” – Luke 14:20
Philippians 2:14 – Grumbling and arguing lead to excuses
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” – Philippians 2:14
Proverbs 21:25 – Desires without action result in excuses
“The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.” – Proverbs 21:25
Ezekiel 18:30 – A call for personal responsibility, not excuses
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” – Ezekiel 18:30
2 Corinthians 5:10 – We will be accountable and cannot use excuses
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
Romans 1:20 – Ignoring truth cannot be justified by excuses
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
Colossians 3:23 – Approach tasks without excuses, working for the Lord
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
Mark 14:38 – Stay alert to overcome excuses for negligence
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Mark 14:38
1 Peter 4:10 – We’re called to use our gifts without making excuses
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Proverbs 16:3 – Committing plans to God prevents excuses
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
Micah 6:8 – What God requires is clear, no need for excuses
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8