There are two kinds of people in the world. People who make a difference, and people who make excuses. Which kind of person do you want to be?
Of course, this is an oversimplification.
What are some other “two kinds of people” quotes have you heard?
What is the benefit of these kinds of statements?
This whole series, we have been talking about how excuse
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. —Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
In what ways might our excuses hold us back from being God’s masterpiece?
What else do you see in this verse?
So, how do we break through the walls of excuses that we have built up? Here are 4 steps that you might find helpful.
Step 1 -
You cannot abandon an excuse you have failed to identify and call it what it is.
Consider the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:10-14.
Why did Naaman initially refuse to do what Elisha said to do?
What advice did his friends give him?
Sometimes we aren’t even aware that we are just making excuses, so we need some help identifying them.
Step 2 -
We need to ask ourselves why we made up an excuse. How else are we going to know if it is just an excuse or a real reason?
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
What is this passage saying about how we could interrogate our excuses?
Step 3 - Consider the
What is the excuse costing me, or someone around me?
Consider the story Jesus told in Luke 14:15-24.
What did their excuses cause them to miss out on?
Step 4 -
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. —Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. —James 5:16 (NLT)
Why is it important to confess to others?
If you don’t deal with your excuses… you will excuse your life away.