How God Uses Imperfect people: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect—Just Willing
- Heather Edmund
- May 13
- 6 min read
Updated: May 27
While God is working on you, He is containing you from being exposed or from what is in you from being expose. We are not fully changed before God grows or advances us, because He doesn't wait for us to be perfect before He uses us.
What may be imperfect to others is perfect for God.
Sign up to receive our blogs directly to your inbox
God Doesn't Wait for Perfection Before Using You
God uses imperfect people to carry out His perfect plan. We often assume we have to be flawless to be used by God, but the Bible shows us where God uses the weak, the flawed, and the unlikely for His many purposes.
Take Moses as an example. He had a troubled past—he killed a man (Exodus 2:11–14)—and when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses resisted. He doubted himself because of his speech difficulties (Exodus 3:15-20, 4:1), struggled with fear and insecurity (Exodus 4:10–12), and continued to make excuses even after God assured him that the people would listen (Exodus 3:18, 4:1), and explained what to do if they didn’t. Despite all of this, Moses still didn't want to do what God asked him to do (Exodus 4:1-14).
But despite his past mistake and personal insecurities, God showed patience and addressed every excuse and concern he raised (Exodus 4:1, 9, 14). And God still chose to use Moses in a powerful way by appointing him as Israel’s deliverer, performing mighty miracles through him, giving him the Ten Commandments, and inspiring him to write the first five books of the Bible. Above all, God shared a deep and personal relationship with Moses (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:3).
Joseph's grandparents, Isaac and Rebekah, struggled with favoritism toward their twin sons, which sparked family conflict and established a pattern of generational dysfunction. Rebekah favored Jacob, while Isaac preferred Esau (Genesis 25:28). This parental favoritism contributed to deceit, rivalry, and eventual estrangement between the brothers (Genesis 27:1–41).
Jacob, one of the twins, repeated this destructive pattern in his own family. Jacob showed overt favoritism toward Joseph, the son that was born to his favorite wife Rachel. And he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 37:3; Genesis 29:30: Genesis 29:32; Genesis 30:14–16). This favoritism bred jealousy and resentment among his wives and sons, ultimately leading Joseph’s brothers to betray him and sell him into slavery (Genesis 37:4; 18–28).
But despite everything he went through, Joseph rose to become second in command over Egypt—one of the most powerful nations of that time (Genesis 41:39–41).
David was a shepherd boy, overlooked by family, later committed adultery, and arranged a man’s death (1 Samuel 16:10–13; 2 Samuel 11:2–4; 2 Samuel 11:14–15). Despite his flaws (1 Samuel 16:7), David became a man after God’s own heart and the greatest king in Israel’s history (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).
Gideon was timid and doubtful, calling himself the least in his family. But God called him a “mighty warrior” and used him to deliver Israel from their enemies (Judges 6:12, 15).
Peter denied Jesus three times out of fear (Matthew 26:75). But Peter became one of Jesus’ closest disciples, part of His inner circle, and who Jesus ask to "feed His sheep." He chose Peter to lead, shepherd, and care for His followers (Matthew 17:1; Matthew 16:16–18; Luke 22:31–32; John 21:15–17).
Paul violently persecuted Christians. But after encountering Jesus, he became one of the most influential apostles, taking the gospel to the Gentiles (1 Timothy 1:15–16).
Rahab, a prostitute whose faith saved her family and earned her a place in the lineage of Jesus (Hebrews 11:31).
Jonah ran from God’s call, yet was still used to spark national repentance in Nineveh (Jonah 1:3).
Samson, despite his impulsiveness and pride, was empowered to defeat the Philistines in his final moments (Judges 16:28).
Matthew, though an outcast and despised for his career as a tax collector (Luke 15:1–2; 18:10–12; Matthew 9:10–11; 21:31–32), was personally called by Jesus to become one of His disciples (Mark 2:14-17).
The Bible clearly shows us how a perfect God works through imperfect lives.
This is why we should never judge, look down on, or dismiss anyone. We may see them as less than, but God sees their worth. More importantly, He knows each person’s heart, intentions, and motives (Mark 2:8; 1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 16:2; Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 4:13; 1 Chronicles 28:9).
From Moses the murderer and reluctant leader, to David the adulterer; from Peter the denier, to Paul the persecutor; from Rahab the prostitute, to Jacob the flawed father; Jonah the unforgiving prophet, Samson with his pride, and Matthew the outcast tax collector—God consistently shows that He doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls.
Unlike people, God doesn't count us out because of our past mistakes, family dysfunctions, doubts, and insecurities. He sees beyond what we are to what He is making us into. All He needs is our yes, availability, obedience, and surrender—not our perfection.
While God Is Working on You, He Is Also Containing You
God sees differently than we do. While we judge based on appearances, past mistakes, or weaknesses, God looks at the heart.
Like a container filled with dirty stuff, God, in His wisdom and mercy, begins the deep work within—cleansing us from our old selves (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9–10), renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), and refining our character so we can reflect His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). And Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the work He started in us, He is faithful to complete.
So although you might be elevating, God is still refining our hearts—not to hold you back, but to protect us and those we will influence. He is forming His nature in us—instilling the fruit of His Spirit: self-control, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness—and above all, love (Matthew 22:37–40).
This transformation isn’t just for our benefit; it’s so that our life can glorify Jesus, the One who restores, heals, and is the ultimate answer to every need.
You’re Not Called to Be Perfect—Just Surrendered
It’s not about being perfect (Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:20). Only the Holy Spirit can transform and refine us, shaping us into who God has called us to be (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22–23).
What God desires most is a repentant surrendered heart—one that is open, willing, and fully given over to Him (Psalm 51:17; Romans 12:1).
He values obedience, humility, and faithfulness far more than outward performance or appearance (1 Samuel 15:22; Micah 6:8; Proverbs 3:3–4).
Above all, God longs for us to love Him deeply and to love others genuinely (Matthew 22:37–39; John 13:35).
We live in a world quick to disqualify others, and we even disqualify ourselves, for not measuring up. But God doesn’t call the perfect; He perfects us.
The real question isn’t “Am I good enough?” but “Am I surrendered?” Because God doesn’t need your perfection—He just needs your yes, obedience, and surrender.
Sign up to receive our blogs directly to your inbox
Here's what to read next — God Changes Us In Stages
Before you go...
Join thousands of subscribers and get monthly blogs to see how the Bible is your guide for life, helping you grow, mature and get through anything in life. Join
One last thing...
If you've found this blog valuable, please remember to share it on social media below. Sharing is a free way to share the Gospel and to let everyone know what God can do.
Explore our website...
SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube Channel
A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will become one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, as you and Him are now one.
All you need to do is receive the gift of salvation by repenting of your sins and inviting Jesus into your life, confessing Him as Lord. As Romans 10:9 declares, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” And 1 John 4:15 assures us, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” When you take this step, you are saved and welcomed into God’s Kingdom—becoming a part of the family of Christ!
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
Jesus, I confess that You are Lord, and I believe in my heart that You died and rose again for my sins. I ask for Your forgiveness and receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
SEO Keywords: SSFL, Christian, Blogs, ChristianBlogs, Bible, Jesus, God, Spirit, Spirituality, Imperfect people, Flawed, Weak, Imperfect
Please Share below!
Comments