Playing the Blame Game Leads to Nowhere Good
We humans are quick to point fingers, aren’t we? We can find something or someone else to blame almost instantly. And for most anything.
We blame others for all kinds of things—our insecurities, fears of failure, trust issues, straying children, failed or failing marriages, discontent, unhappiness, financial status…and the list goes on and on.
But playing the blame game leads to nowhere good.
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Playing the blame game leads to a victim mentality.
This mindset then leads to excusing our sin. It’s someone else’s fault that I sinned. I shouldn’t be blamed.
Adam and Eve were the first to play this game when God confronted them with their sin.
Adam blamed Eve.
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. Genesis 3:12
Eve blamed the serpent.
And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Genesis 3:13
Adam also blamed Someone else.
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. Genesis 3:12
Who gave Eve to be with Adam? God did. Adam blamed the only One who never deserves blame for ANY of this life’s problems—God Himself! For…
God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31a
God created a perfect world, a perfect paradise on earth for Adam and Eve to enjoy with all their needs perfectly met in the supply of the Garden of Eden.
Yet Adam and Eve wanted more. Outside the command and will of God. Then when the consequences came, they start blaming each other, the devil (the serpent)…and the God who made them and their perfect world!
Playing the blame game caused Adam and Eve to excuse their sin. It wasn’t their fault. They were victims of someone else’s actions.
Adam and Eve’s first child, Cain, also saw himself as a victim. He saw himself as the victim of unfairness. A very dangerous mindset!
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. Andthe LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:4-5
Playing the blame game leads to resentment and retaliation.
Instead of repenting of his sin of rebellion against God’s way of worship and sacrifice, Cain got mad at his brother Abel. Cain blamed Abel!
Cain’s resentment and anger grew to the point of still further sin when Cain committed the first murder, killing his own brother!
Like Cain, many in our society see themselves as victims of unfairness. In our country over the past year (2017), we have seen, and many have experienced, the looting and destruction and violence of rioting. All the result of people blaming others for their lot in life, instead of taking personal responsibility for their choices.
Blaming others allows these “victims” to excuse their criminal behavior, their resentment, and retaliation.
While these groups may or may not have legitimate complaints, it is never right to do wrong. And one wrong does not justify another wrong.
We will all at times be treated unfairly in this life.
Are you struggling with an unfair treatment from someone right now in your life?
Know that God is with you and will bring you out of this valley. Keep seeking Him in His Word. And keep seeking His comfort through prayer and obedience.
Meanwhile, don’t let Satan get a foothold in your heart through the resentment that results from holding onto unforgiveness.
And don’t allow that person any more power to hurt you by allowing yourself to justify responding in a sinful manner to the situation. You don’t want to add the consequences of your own sinful reaction to the hurt you already feel.
For more help growing in your walk with God, you’ll want to be sure to check out all these Practical Ways to Get Closer to God Today!
Remember—resentment and retaliation is not how God would have us to respond to the hurt and unfairness of life.
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
Playing the blame game leads us away from the blessings of God.
Blaming others clouds our vision. It keeps us from seeing our own sin as sin. And therefore, keeps us from repentance and change…leading us away from the presence and blessings of God. Just as it did with Cain. (Genesis 4:16, 1 John 3:12)
Those who repeatedly blame others for their problems, spin their wheels in life with
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no victory over sin
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no close fellowship with God, and
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a lack of peace and joy and contentment.
Life just keeps on knocking them down, and they don’t know why.
They cannot see that maybe it’s because they keep doing the same things, expecting a different result.
Living outside of God’s Word and will, yet expecting God’s blessings.
Blaming others keeps us from looking within our own hearts and lives and evaluating our own choices and attitudes.
It keeps us from humbling ourselves before God and asking Him to search our hearts. And show us any sin that is keeping us from His blessing…anything that we need to work on about ourselves.
It is a human tendency to blame others before reflecting on oneself. But if you do, you will never find the real cause of the problem, and there will be no real improvement.
Daisaku Ikeda
Are you quick to blame others when life goes wrong? Or do you look at yourself and acknowledge your own mistakes, and even sins, as possible causes? And after repenting, if necessary, look for things you can do to improve your situation?
Stop pointing fingers and placing blame on others. Your life can only change to the degree that you accept responsibility for it.
Dr. Steve Maraboli
While there are truly instances where someone else is to blame…we cannot change them, or their actions. We can only change ourselves and our actions…through the help and power of the Holy Spirit. And praise the Lord, we are only accountable to Him for our own actions and sins!
So instead of seeing yourself as a victim and playing the blame game—change what you can in your life. Obey God in every way you know. And leave the rest to Him.
May we forgive ourselves and others…and move on in faith…trusting God to work all things together for good for us…as we love and obey Him. (Romans 8:28)
Drawing nigh to Him,
Teresa
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