MAR 2000
One of the first articles by Kellie Copeland to be published in BVOV
No More Excuses
by Kellie Copeland
Several years ago, the head of Jerry Savelle’s ministry school asked me to teach how to raise a godly family. I was feeling very unqualified at the time and argued with the Lord about it: “Lord, I can’t go talk about this. I am having the biggest challenge with my own kids right now, because You know…we’ve been so busy, and I haven’t been consistent with disciplining my children….”
In the middle of my great discourse, the Lord stopped me and said something to me that changed my life forever. I even wrote down exactly what He said: 'If you make excuses for your condition, or the condition of your home, you won’t change.'
I didn’t talk back or argue for even a second. I said, “Yes, Sir.”
Then He added, 'If you make excuses for your children, you won’t discipline them, and they won’t change.'
God’s words were so right to me that day. Growing up, I was proficient at making excuses. As I matured spiritually, I began disciplining myself about it. Even as an adult, I have to watch myself to make sure I don’t make excuses in my walk with the Lord.
Excuses are dangerous. The more I’ve studied God’s Word on this subject, the more clearly I’ve seen just how dangerous they really are. Some of the most famous people in the Bible made excuses…and every time, it cost them dearly. Let me share a few of the excuses I’ve found in the Bible, because I believe they will open your eyes to the danger.
Excuse #1: Self-Doubt
In Exodus 3, God told Moses all the things He wanted Moses to do concerning leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. Rather than taking on the assignment with faith and joy, every word out of Moses’ mouth was an argument or an excuse that sprang from self-doubt:
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (verse 11, "New King James Version").
“Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” (verse 13).
“But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you’” (chapter 4:1).
24 : BVOV
