Excuses for Sin

We can be masters of self-justification. Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. 2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

It just happened. Exodus 32:1-6 Exodus 32:12-24 Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

It’s someone else’s fault. Genesis 3:11-12 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” 12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

It’s someone else’s fault. Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

I was deceived. Genesis 3:13 "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

I was deceived. Romans 16:18 by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, Colossians 2:4 lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

I was deceived. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

I was deceived. Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Everyone else was doing it. 1 Samuel 15:20-21 And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, 21 But the people took of the plunder, 1 Samuel 15:24 I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Everyone else was doing it. Exodus 23:2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; John 12:42-43 …they did not confess Him, 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Some good came (will come) from it. 1 Samuel 15:15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

I’m more good than bad. Luke 18:10-14 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Don’t make excuses. Repent. Ezekiel 18:30b “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Acts 11:18b “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”