Making excuses is a form of pride. It’s an unwillingness to admit that we’re not perfect and that we need help. Instead of doing our best, we find ways to absolve ourselves of responsibility.

The worse thing… God is often the first one we blame. We might say that He didn’t answer our prayers the way we wanted Him to, or that He didn’t provide us with the resources we needed. But the truth is, when we make excuses, we’re really just blaming God for our own shortcomings.

Yes, there are times when things happen that are beyond our control. But more often than not, the excuses we make are based on our own fears or laziness. We don’t want to face up to our mistakes or take responsibility for our actions. So instead, we try to shift the blame onto God.

If you always make excuses rather than find ways to get out of your predicament, these bible verses are for you:

2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV

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.

Matthew 12:36 NIV

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

Romans 1:18-20 NIV

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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.

John 8:24 NIV

I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.

Luke 12:47-48 NIV

The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Exodus 3:14 NIV

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

John 4:34 NIV

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

John 5:30 NIV

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”