How Does Maturity Reflect Being Accountable?

What is the difference in acknowledging mistakes, taking corrective measures to avoid repeats, and masking failure with excuses? Making excuses is a way to sidestep embarrassment, and possible punishment, but more importantly, excuses deny accountability.

Failure to meet expectations begins very early in childhood, and how these failures are addressed depends on the age of the child. Consistent harsh punishment promotes excuse-making and blaming others. Lack of maturity is linked with failure to be accountable.

Jesus in Matthew 25 speaks to this issue. A businessman gave three associates responsibility for large sums of money. Two invested wisely and made a profit. The other hid the money but then made excuses for his failure to be accountable.

To strive for and practice maturity reinforces accountability. According to Romans 14:12, we will give an account of ourselves to God. Does that sound scary?         

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Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

~Romans 14:13 New International Version

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What Does Excuse-making Say About Maturity?

Coming up with excuses for failure is not difficult to do. Parents blame the school, teachers, or other students sometimes for their child’s failures. There are situations where excuses have validity, but blaming others doesn’t always adequately address reality.

Excuse-making is a first defense for failure. We want to be well thought of even if it means failing to take responsible for failures to live up to expectations. Looking good may substitute for poor parenting skills, a failed marriage, and how we want God to see us.

Looking good often covers a fractured self and is often an excuse for failure. Remember when Adam and Eve had to face God for choosing to eat the forbidden fruit? Adam excused himself by blaming Eve, and Eve’s excuse was Satan persuaded her with enticing words. Rather than making up excuses to cover their guilt and shame, they could have, through open and truthful confession, presented themselves honestly to God. 

God honors honesty.                    

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Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled with the blood of Christ to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.

~Hebrews 10:22-23 New International Version

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