The Blame Game
“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.”
Proverbs 19:3 New Living Translation
It takes unmitigated gall to put God on the defense stand!
– we sow seeds of unfaithfulness in a relationship, then shake our fist at God when that relationship fails
– we sow seeds of indifference in our eating habits, then blame God when diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure
– we run right by God-planted ‘caution’ and ‘stop’ signs leading up to a decision, then roll our eyes at him when we make the wrong one and it bites us
– we fail as parents to instruct, guide and set parameters for our children, then question the faithfulness of God when their rebelliousness breaks our hearts
– we foolishly sow to the wind, then accuse God of bullying when hit by the whirlwind
As we probe the issue of bad things happening to good people we pull God into the matter as the instigator and perpetrator of all the bad and disappointing that happens to us.
– we carelessly vote into office people with immoral character and greedy intentions, then complain to God about the direction they take us
– we take scant interest in our children’s schooling, then stand aghast at God when our their faith is destroyed by secularism
– we take our spouse for granted, never investing in that primary relationship, then somehow put the blame on God when it dissolves into irrelevance
It’s time to ‘fess up’ … to take responsibility for our own actions or lack thereof. When Adam sinned, he put God on the defense stand. “It’s the woman who you gave to me that made me mess up,” he pouted. But when the prophet confronted King David about his adulterous, murderous actions, David took responsibility saying, “I was wrong.” II Samuel 12:13.
Adam lost paradise … David was forgiven and called ‘a man after God’s heart.’
This week let’s quit blaming God for the effects of our bad decisions and let him help us make correct ones. Let’s stop insinuating that God didn’t guide us and start listening carefully for his voice. Let’s end our practice of using God as a scape goat and invite him to be the Friend and Confidante that he wants to be.
May you experience joy for your journey!
I am a pastor, teacher, and encourager. I am a happy husband and leader of a family tribe now numbering 13. I am President of Fresh Heart Ministries and consider called of God to help you grow in your spiritual walk … let you know how special you are to God … and have some fun while doing so.
Wonderful post, Paul!
Absolutely!!! We must take responsibility for our own actions/sins, seek forgiveness and move on in Christ instead of blaming God!
On a second note, even godly people are tried and put through the sifter, if even for maturity in Christ, and to be associated with the suffering of Christ …
Romans 5:3-5
James 1:2-4
John 16:33
Colossians 1:24 ESV
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Philippians 3:10 ESV
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
1 Peter 4:12-19 ESV
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. …