Christian Copouts

Have you ever used a Christian Copout?  I have.  Many times.  For the sake of not taking personal responsiblity, I have used the following excuses for the way things have turned out in my life.  I may not have used these exact words, but these are basically what I mean.

The Devil Made Me Do It

The Devil tempted me.  He presented me with an opportunity that I couldn’t resist.  He knows exactly where I am weak and attacked me there.  He tripped me up.  He caused me to stumble there.  I had a real bout of spiritual warfare there, but I lost that one.  I’ll try harder next time.

The truth is, I wanted to do it.  It wasn’t something that I should have done, but I wanted to.  So, I did it, but it sounds spiritual when I can pin the blame on the Devil.  That way it wasn’t really my fault.  This didn’t work for Geraldine (hope some of you get that Flip Wilson reference) and it doesn’t work for us.

God Told Me To

There really isn’t an argument you can put up with someone who uses this one, is there?  They say God told them to.  End of discussion.  They will play that card over and over.  “Why am I walking around barefoot?  I was reading in Exodus that God told Moses to take his shoes off when he approached the burning bush.  I know that is a word from the Lord for me to not wear shoes.”  I know that is a silly example, but I have heard people use something similar.  I bet you have too.

God Hasn’t Told Me

The exact opposite of the previous one.  This one helps someone avoid responsibility.  An important decision needs to be made.  You don’t want to do it, but you don’t want to come across as not being spiritual.  “Would you like to chaperone at the youth conference?” “No, I’m sorry.  God hasn’t told me to.”

Or here is another variation.  A decision needs to be made.  You don’t like the direction that someone else wants the decision to go.  What do you say?  “God hasn’t given me that answer.”  Really, you don’t like the other decision, but you cloud it up with spiritual talk.  You paralyze the proceedings.

We’ve All Done It

I’m not getting onto to you if you’ve done this before.  We have all used one of these excuses or something like it.

I just want to encourage to stop it.

Don’t blame the Devil.  Don’t do something you want to do and blame God.  Don’t stall by saying that God hasn’t told you.

Pray about it.  Make a decision.  Live with it.  Stop using Christian Copouts.

It’s not going to screw up His plan for you.  Whatever the decision, it was His plan.

Have you ever used an excuse like these to avoid responsiblity for something?