The blame game

He bit into it and just before he can savor the taste, he realized what he had done. He looked at his wife and noticed something different. We’re naked! They grabbed some leaves to cover themselves. Then, they heard rustling..Oh No! God is walking around in the Garden. HIDE! Oh Adam! Where are you? God called. Um, well you see I heard you coming and I was naked so I hid. Adam said. Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I told you NOT to eat from? God asked. Uhhh, well the woman YOU gave me made me do it. He replied. Woman, what did you do? God asked. The serpent made me do it. She replied.

Every time I read this story in Genesis 3:1-24. I crack up! I mean it isn’t a great story because sin entered the world in this chapter. However, when reading this chapter I realize how stupid we are when we sin. God specifically told them not to eat from this one tree, but they just had to have some. What kills me is when God came by they went hiding like he can’t see them. Seriously? Did they really think they can hide from God? Then, when they finally answered him, they each started to point fingers at one another. Adam was the boldest of them all. God, the woman YOU gave me made me do it. Really Adam? It’s God’s fault that you forgot what he commanded you not to do all because you were in Love?

What is it about the blame game that makes it our first thought when we sin? They made me do it. He got me so angry. She just annoys me. It goes on and on and on. As Christians, we must get to a point in our lives where we learn to take responsibility for our actions. Some folks can never see the part that they had to play in a situation. All they can see is that someone else did them wrong. One of my closest friends told me once, you can’t control the actions of others, but you surely can control your reaction. He’s right! No matter what someone does or says to you, you have the power to control your response. It’s part of that Free Will thing God gave us that separates us from the animals.

I had my own personal struggle with this. I always seemed to find a way to blame someone else. It was never my fault. Of course not! I am a saint. NOT! I soon learned that the issue wasn’t always with the other party, sometimes I was just as guilty as they were. Taking responsibility for your actions is a sign of spiritual maturity. One of the reasons why King David who was a murderer, liar, adulterer, etc. still obtained the title of the man after God’s own heart is because he understood this concept. David always took responsibility for his actions and sought out God’s forgiveness. We too can take a few lessons from David. We must learn to take stock of ourselves and correct the character flaws that are keeping us from being who God wants us to be.

This year as you create your Life Resolutions, make a decision to take responsibility for your actions. Don’t be quick to blame others for everything that goes on in your life. We serve a God that can change any situation. All you have to do is acknowledge your fault (if any) and turn the situation over to God. What would have happened if instead of playing the blame game, Adam and Eve confessed their sin, admitted their wrong and asked for forgiveness? We may never know, but we can learn from their mistakes and make the necessary changes in our lives.

Memory Text:

David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” – 2 Samuel 24:10

Prayer Prompt
Lord, help me to take responsibility for my actions like King David and teach me how to stop playing the blame game.

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