January 29th, 2021
Killing Me Softly Devotional Series – Week 3 – Blaming - Friday – Shirley Davis
Accepting Responsibility
Galatians 6:5 (NLT)
"For we are each responsible for our own conduct."
I believe that one of the most common traps we can all fall into is blaming others - or at least not wanting to own up to our own mistakes. From an early age, our human reaction is to point the finger at someone else when we are caught doing wrong. It is no surprise since in the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 3:11-13 when God asks Adam if he broke the ONLY law in the Garden of Eden (knowing he already had!), Adam immediately blames both Eve AND God! "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it." (v.12). Then, of course, Eve blames the serpent for deceiving her! But none of that stopped God from holding them both responsible for making the wrong choice to disobey - which changed things forever!
Sometimes, instead of blaming someone else, we avoid owning up to it being our fault. Joseph's brothers made a terrible decision in Genesis 37 and sold him to traders from Egypt. That led to telling lies, causing great grief to their father, and hiding a family secret that tormented them with guilt for almost 20 years until they owned up and received forgiveness.
Accepting responsibility for sin, or even a poor choice or mistake, DOES bring consequences that can change our life, but it also can bring peace and restore relationships. Years ago, I was parking my car and slightly scraped an adjacent vehicle. My stomach sank, and I felt sick as we had no money. I felt the temptation to drive away, but I had our children in the car and knew the importance of setting them a good example as a Christian. I went inside the building and loudly asked who owned the affected vehicle so that I could own up. Thankfully, it was an elderly couple, and they very kindly forgave me and told me not to worry about it! God can do miracles!
Accepting Responsibility
Galatians 6:5 (NLT)
"For we are each responsible for our own conduct."
I believe that one of the most common traps we can all fall into is blaming others - or at least not wanting to own up to our own mistakes. From an early age, our human reaction is to point the finger at someone else when we are caught doing wrong. It is no surprise since in the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 3:11-13 when God asks Adam if he broke the ONLY law in the Garden of Eden (knowing he already had!), Adam immediately blames both Eve AND God! "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it." (v.12). Then, of course, Eve blames the serpent for deceiving her! But none of that stopped God from holding them both responsible for making the wrong choice to disobey - which changed things forever!
Sometimes, instead of blaming someone else, we avoid owning up to it being our fault. Joseph's brothers made a terrible decision in Genesis 37 and sold him to traders from Egypt. That led to telling lies, causing great grief to their father, and hiding a family secret that tormented them with guilt for almost 20 years until they owned up and received forgiveness.
Accepting responsibility for sin, or even a poor choice or mistake, DOES bring consequences that can change our life, but it also can bring peace and restore relationships. Years ago, I was parking my car and slightly scraped an adjacent vehicle. My stomach sank, and I felt sick as we had no money. I felt the temptation to drive away, but I had our children in the car and knew the importance of setting them a good example as a Christian. I went inside the building and loudly asked who owned the affected vehicle so that I could own up. Thankfully, it was an elderly couple, and they very kindly forgave me and told me not to worry about it! God can do miracles!
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