Text: Ezekiel 18:1-32
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” —1 Corinthians 13:11
A woman in Ohio reportedly attempted to blame a near automobile accident on her Taco Bell order. After almost striking a police car, the woman claimed that she had been taking a bite out of her nachos. The police officer said that he had to swerve his vehicle to avoid being hit. He then pulled the woman over, and when he asked her what happened, she held up a bag of Taco Bell and blamed the nachos. The woman had a history of DUI offenses and upon initially refusing to get out of her vehicle, she reluctantly did. After failing a field sobriety test, she was taken into custody.
It’s convenient for us to cast external blame for our behavior, addictions, troubles, and outcomes related to the choices we have made in life. We love to take self-serving moral inventories of everyone else rather than taking inventory of ourselves—“If only he would’ve…” or “If only she hadn’t…” (You can probably finish the sentence, right?). The idea that we are in some way responsible for outcomes in our lives can be scary, which is often what leads to self-medicating dependencies.
“It’s not my fault—it’s everyone else’s fault”—becomes the battle cry of the perpetual victim.
In many ways, the difference between a child and an adult is the willingness to take personal responsibility for one’s own actions. Paul says, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11). The Bible not only teaches the concept of personal responsibility (Ezekiel 18:20), it correlates it with the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8).
Blame shifting is typically the default of the person who fails to accept personal responsibility for failure.
Adam tried to blame Eve for his sin (Genesis 3:12). Cain tried to dodge responsibility for murdering his own brother (Genesis 4:9). Pilate attempted to absolve his guilt in the matter of the crucifixion of Christ: “‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’” (Matthew 27:24). Ultimately, attempts to pass the buck are futile. “You may be sure that your sin will find you out,” the Bible affirms in Numbers 32:23. Or as the saying goes: The chickens always come home to roost.
One of the most beautiful things about the nature of Christ’s interactions in the Gospels is the manner in which He humanized the dehumanized. He would challenge individuals to take inventory of their own failure while at the same time making them feel fully loved and valued as human beings—the quintessential incarnate of “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). This is especially seen in the way He treated the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). He exposed her immoral past, guided her to take inventory of her own personal failure, and then freed her to become a woman of dignity, respect, and powerful influence.
God has a redemptive plan for all of our failure. That plan doesn’t happen on the heels of blame shifting, it comes to fruition when we own the wrongdoing and the wrong “being” in our lives. Taking personal responsibility for our failure is like turning the ignition of God’s redeeming engine on in our lives. He’s given you the keys to a powerful vehicle for spiritual growth; it’s time to turn the ignition. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
God, help me to take inventory of my life and assume responsibility for choices, behaviors, and outcomes. Help me to be quick to repent when the Holy Spirit reveals areas of blame shifting or excuse making. Help me to own what is going to make me grow. In your presence I am fully known, fully judged, and fully loved. Help me to embrace your redemption in every way that I would be conformed more to the image of Christ and to display His glory in my life. In Jesus’ blessed name, Amen.
Questions for Reflection, Small Group or Family Discussion:
- What makes it so convenient to blame others for the outcomes in our lives?
- Whose sin did God say has the power to condemn a person? (Ezekiel 18:4)
- What does God call each person to do in light of His coming judgment? (Ezekiel 18:30)
- Read Romans 14:10. What can be intimidating or empowering about this promise?
- In what area of your life do you need to take responsibility for failure, behaviors, feelings of bitterness, or outcomes?
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