The Blame Game

I call “The Blame Game”, throwing rocks at bad memories. 

We fling the rocks over our shoulders without looking, knowing that it is an effort in futility but it beats admitting responsibility and fault. 

This is the #1 most common problem that I confront when talking to couples struggling with an issue that is causing them grief. 

Instead of looking forward as a united front, addressing the problem and working toward a healthy solution, the “finger pointing” begins. 

My dad likes to remind me, “It is a funny coin that doesn’t have two sides”. 

So in an effort to start the week out with some “tongue in cheek” humor, I thought we would “go see the folks”. 

Genesis 3:9-13 NLT

 ⁹ Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

¹⁰ He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

¹¹ “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

¹² The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

¹³ Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”

“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

See, “The Blame Game” begins with our 1^st folks ~ so it is something of a unhealthy family tradition. 

And to make it worse, the fact I am pointing my fingers at the 1^st folks, I am carrying on the family tradition by pushing responsibility back to them. 

I can hear Adam’s voice whining, “But God, you made me a defective woman.  If you had given it some thought, we could’ve avoided this mess.” 

Adam was trying to dodge responsibility by blaming God for his decision. 

And to make it worse, Adam basically was telling God that he was less than good, because a good God would’ve done a better job and provided him a better living environment. 

When Adam realized that throwing rocks at God was a dangerous game, he then shifted his “Blame ‘chucking” toward his beautiful bride, Eve. 

 To make this more ironic, Adam was supposed to be Eve’s protector.  God provided Adam with strength and decisiveness to provide Eve with safety.  Instead, Adam ducked his head and whined, making excuses. 

 Oh good grief. 

 The life lessons we can draw from this short story would fill volumes. 

 Most of which, I confess, place the full blame for their sin at Adam’s feet.

 And STOP IT ~ yes you! 

 I know you are looking at your husband right now, comparing him to Adam.  That plugs you into “The Blame Game” yourself. 

 So instead, let’s review verse 9:

 “Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 

Do you honestly believe that God, who sees all and knows all, couldn’t find Adam in the garden? 

OR

Was God providing Adam a chance to do something great? 

Do you think that possibly, because God loved Adam and Eve, that He was providing them an opportunity to confess their sin before God and ask for forgiveness?

Like a loving parent, God had to confront the sin but also wanted to give His children a chance to confess and make things right ~ restore their relationship. 

Instead, “The Blame Game” began and man has been trying to dodge responsibility ever since. 

So our lesson here is simple:  “When you hear God’s voice in your heart, asking you where you are…. Stop and see what sin God is trying to get you to take responsibility for and confess it.  Throw yourself on God’s love and mercy and ask for (a) forgiveness and (b) a restored relationship with God. 

I’m praying for you
Pastor Shane