The Blame Game (2)

“The woman you put here…gave me some…and I ate it.” Ge 3:12 NIV

Blaming came naturally to Adam and Eve, the father and mother of the human race. After all, who could fault them? God did! Their blaming was a result of how sin had changed them. Their relationship to themselves, each other, their environment, and even God, was radically changed by their irresponsibility. And since God can do nothing with people who won’t take responsibility for their decisions, He dismissed them from Paradise. What a price to pay! Here are two good reasons for giving up the blame game:
(1) It makes you a victim. When you make someone else responsible for your circumstances, you put the power to change things in their hands. That means nothing will change unless they decide to change it. You make them master of your fate. Only by accepting personal responsibility can you retain the power to change your circumstances. (2) It makes you miserable. You say, “But they hurt me.” Yes, and by harboring resentment you are hurting yourself over and over. The Bible says, “Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time” (Heb 12:14-15 TM). Before you know it your entire outlook gets distorted. “Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite …Esau later regretted that…and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears” (vv. 16-17 TM). Forgive, take back your life, and get out of the blame game!

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