I cannot remember a time in history, greater than now when people constantly blamed someone else for their situation. It’s the government’s fault that I don’t have a higher standard of living. It’s my employers’ fault that I didn’t get a promotion. It’s the teachers’ fault my kids are failing school. It’s McDonald’s fault that I am fat. It’s the tobacco company’s fault I can’t quit smoking. It’s the coach’s fault I didn’t play well. I could go on and on because this is the mentality of a huge amount of people. I guess we should expect this to some measure because our ancestors Adam and Eve played the blame shift game too. Adam blamed Eve for His sin, and Eve blamed the snake!
Genesis 3:12-13 “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 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.”
In Deuteronomy 5:1-5, Moses is talking to the Israelites. He gives a review to them of what God has said to them. Later in the chapter, he reminds them of the commandments he gave them. He is saying, listen up, God is speaking! He had dealt with Israel through rebellion and had stood between them and the wrath of God. The only reason the nation of Israel was not already consumed was that Moses assumed responsibility for them. At the time of this passage, the Israelites that whom God had made the covenant had died, except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. But, they were still without excuse because God’s words had been taught to them. In our terminology Moses was saying, God spoke to you and you have your marching orders. No excuses just go do it!
Deuteronomy 5:1 “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes, and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,”
We are without excuse also. If you have the internet you can read and hear God’s word anywhere and anytime. I understand there are countries where the word is not freely given, but even those areas are fewer than in times past. When we know God’s word it brings awareness, and we cannot blame others for our failures to do what is right. Most of the predicaments we find ourselves in are self-inflicted situations that came about because of past failure to take responsibility for ourselves. For instance, the Senior in high school who can’t get into college because his grades were not good enough, is in that situation because he did not apply himself to his studies in years past.
Let’s make the spiritual application here. We have the word of God at our disposal in many ways. However, we continue to sin, by omitting the things we are supposed to do, or by willfully doing what we are not supposed to do. Either way, it is sin. It is our own fault if we don’t do what is right. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Our parents may have left us with big scars, or exhibited a sinful life around us, but the victim game will not hold up as an excuse when we stand before God. If you blame others for your failures or sins, stop! Be responsible and confess your own sins. Allow the only innocent victim to cover your sin with his blood. Jesus wants to forgive you, and help you to take responsibility for all of your actions.
