Making Excuses for God?
Have you ever heard someone say, “God must have a reason for this,” or “Maybe He’s just teaching me something”? These phrases often flow off our tongues without a second thought meant to comfort, explain the unexplainable, or defend God when life doesn’t go the way we expected.
But here's the truth:
God doesn’t need us to make excuses for Him. He wants us to know Him.
In our effort to process pain, delay, or disappointment, we often build spiritual sounding narratives that aren't rooted in the Word, but in fear, confusion, or religious tradition. Over time, these excuses can distort our understanding of who God really is and could sometimes paint a wrong picture of who God is to unbelievers or to those who are just growing in their faith.
Let’s uncover the most common excuses people make on behalf of God and explore what the Bible actually says instead.
1. Excuses for Unanswered Prayers
“Maybe God just didn’t want to answer that prayer.”
“God’s silence is His answer.”
What’s underneath: Avoiding honest wrestling with doubt, disappointment, or unmet expectations.
Biblical truth: Not all unanswered prayers are a divine “no.” Sometimes the issue is motive, timing, or lack of faith.
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James 4:3
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
2. Excuses for Delayed Promises
“You’re not ready yet.”
“God is still working on you.”
“Maybe He’s testing your faith.”
What’s underneath: Trying to rationalize long waits or silence.
The danger: It can lead to a performance-based mindset, where we feel we must “earn” God's blessing.
Biblical truth: God fulfills His promises in His timing, not ours. Delay doesn't always mean those excuses we give.
“Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3
3. Excuses for Suffering and Tragedy
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“God gave you this sickness to teach you something.”
“He needed another angel in heaven.”
What’s underneath: Seeking meaning in pain.
Biblical truth: While God can redeem pain, not all suffering comes from Him.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life...” John 10:10
“And we know that in all things God works for the good...” Romans 8:28
4. Excuses for Injustice
“Just leave it in God’s hands.”
“God will judge in the end.”
What’s underneath: Avoiding responsibility or uncomfortable confrontation.
The danger: Using God’s sovereignty as a shield from action can delay justice and silence the oppressed.
Biblical truth: God often uses His people to confront injustice, not avoid it.
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
5. Excuses for Disobedience
“God understands my heart.”
“We’re under grace now.”
“God isn’t that strict.”
What’s underneath: Justifying sin or compromise.
Biblical truth: God does understand our hearts, which is why He calls us to repentance. Grace isn’t a license to sin; it’s the power to overcome it.
“For the grace of God... teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness.” Titus 2:11-12
6. Excuses for Stagnation or Inaction
“I’m just waiting on God.”
“He hasn’t told me what to do yet.”
What’s underneath: Fear, procrastination, or spiritual paralysis.
Biblical truth: Many breakthroughs require obedient action, not more waiting.
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17
“Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” Exodus 14:15
7. Excuses for Lack of Boldness
“God doesn’t do that anymore.”
“That miracle stuff was for Bible times.”
What’s underneath: Doubt, disappointment, or fear of being wrong.
The danger: Settling for a powerless, unbelieving Christianity.
Biblical truth: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
8. Excuses for the Actions of Others (in God’s Name)
“That’s just how church is sometimes.”
“God must have allowed that leader to fall for a reason.”
What’s underneath: Avoiding accountability or exposure of harmful behavior.
The danger: Covering for sin breeds toxicity and spiritual abuse.
Biblical truth: God is not the author of hypocrisy, and He calls leaders to a higher standard.
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11
9. Excuses for Not Hearing God’s Voice
“God works in mysterious ways.”
“Maybe He’s not speaking right now.”
What’s underneath: Lack of confidence in recognizing God’s voice, atimes spiritual laziness to wait on God until you get an answer.
Biblical truth: Jesus made it clear, His sheep do hear His voice.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
10. God closed that door for a reason
“God knows best. That door just wasn’t for me.”
“I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
What’s underneath: A need to explain rejection or missed opportunities in a way that avoids reflection, responsibility, or spiritual warfare. Sometimes it’s easier to say “God closed the door” than to ask hard questions like:
Did I act in faith?
Did I give up too soon?
Was there spiritual opposition I didn’t confront?
Biblical truth: Not every closed door is God’s doing. In Scripture, open doors often come with resistance, and God calls us to knock, seek, and persist. We need spiritual discernment to know whether to move on or push through.
“Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7
“I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” - Revelation 3:8
“A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” - 1 Corinthians 16:9
Final Thoughts:
God doesn’t need excuses; He wants our faith.
Spiritual clichés might feel safe, but they often rob us of the deeper, richer relationship God invites us into.
Instead of defending God with phrases that aren’t rooted in truth, let’s seek Him in His Word. Let’s ask hard questions, wrestle in prayer, and grow in real relationship not religion.
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.” - Romans 3:4
