Passing the Blame

(Lessons from Eve #7)
Genesis 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled (tricked) me, and I did eat.
Instead of facing up to what she'd done, Eve tried to put the blame on someone else to try and make herself look better. But she didn't convince God. She had disobeyed and she would have to face the consequences.

True—the Devil did deceive her.

But true—she disobeyed God's very clear instructions.

The devil tricked her, but he didn't force her.

We are often like Eve.

Instead of owning up and admitting we've sinned, we try to pass the blame in order to make ourselves look better.

Maybe we blame ...

...our parents—"They're too strict. They make mistakes. They're hypocrites. They don't have time for me. They're too busy. If they were better Christians, I would have turned out better ."

...our friends—"They talked me into it. Everybody else is doing it. They made it look not so bad. They pressured me. They would laugh at me if I'm different."

...the devil

...brothers and sisters—"They were annoying me."

 

...Or even God—"God could have stopped me. God gave me these desires. God expects too much from me anyway."

One of my husband's coworkers got in trouble with the police for beating up his girlfriend. My husband told me this guy's comment  about his sin was, "It was her fault!"

How often do you try to pass the blame?

People may trick you, deceive you, push you or pressure you into doing what's wrong, but they usually can't force you. With God's help you can still choose to do what's right.

 

If you do what you know is wrong, it's your fault no matter who was involved.

If you've done wrong, be honest and humble. Put the blame where it rightly belongs –on yourself. Face up to the fact that you did wrong.

 

 God dealt with Satan for deceiving Eve. And God will deal with those who help you to do wrong.

But God also dealt with Eve for eating the fruit. Don't be like Eve and try and pass the blame. Just own up and ask forgiveness.

 

The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

I love this promise! But notice it says if we confess. If we try to pass the blame, God can't forgive and cleanse us.