What holds me back

The idea is in thyself. The impediment, too, is in thyself. Thomas Carlyle.
Most of your limitations are self-imposed. John Maxwell.

A lazy person's way is blocked with briars,

but the path of the upright is an open highway.

Proverbs 15:18, 19 (NLT)

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part V

Recognize them in the light of Truth
James instructs that "to the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." I need to regularly confess my excuse-making for what it is -- confession is agreeing with God and in this case, moves me to no longer provide myself with an "out". How much would I learn and see change, if I would confess and take responsibility for my past actions, for present habits (like being habitually late or "blowing off" appointments or commitments) and realize honestly that what I do today (or do not do) impacts the future.

Commit to take action
Deny power to an old enemy: passivity -- that characteristic so common among men, but also one which has now invaded the Western Church for generations. Passivity has become the new "spirituality" (I'll wait until God speaks to me....until I know it's God's will....I get motivated....I want to....I get around to it....I have more time....I get better equipped....I know Scripture better.)

In accountability relationships, agree to take responsibility seriously and then hold each other responsible to plans
Excuses are always "anti-accountability." Once we begin to come to grips with our passivity and begin taking action, the next fortress to fall will be: unwillingness to be intentional, to set measurable goals, to being just willing to take the next step. What if we would begin to agree together -- we will stop blaming others, our environment, our lack of time, skill, money or capacity. We won't any longer feel free to do as we please and still get excused (like a lazy jr. high student from P.E.) -- excused from -- excellence, from behavior honoring to God, from serving others, from engaging in evangelism, loving God and people and pursuing hard the purpose of God for our lives.

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part IV

From a secular viewpoint, Eric Hoffer said, "For many people, an excuse is better than an achievement, because an achievement, no matter how great, leaves you having to prove yourself again in the future; but an excuse can last for a life."

It has occurred to me -- my urge to excuse myself (especially from doing the hard things of following Christ) often centers on two key and lame responses: "I don't want to..." and "I can't!" In other words, "I have no desire, so I will not"...and I have no capacity or ability, so I cannot...

But Scripture says: God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13, NLT). In other words, when I come forth with either of those two excuses, I'm denying the Truth that God's Spirit offers me both the desire and the power to move out. In Biblical terms, it seems the Spirit is always moving, always giving impulses, always offering desire, motivation and power -- all I need to proceed. But when I mutter the excuses, to myself or to others, I am then (the New Testament's language) quenching and grieving the Spirit.

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part III

The Spiritual Nature of Excuses

• Excuses keep my focus on the temporal instead of the long-term and eternal (1 John 2:15, 16)

• Excuses justify spiritual impotence and sterility.
  

• Excuses deny the power and motivation of God's Spirit in my life.

• Excuses mitigate against faith (meaning I give in to fear and no risk-taking) and they bolster human reason.

• Excuses keep people deceived regarding what are the real values, aim and purpose of their lives.

• Excuses keep (especially males!) silent and abdicating leadership. They keep us out of the game.

• Excuses render marriages, families, churches and organizations fruitless.

The Exquisite [and Deadly] Nature of Excuses, Part II

Another definition of an excuse.

An excuse is a lie, masquerading as a reason.