The Blame Game

It’s human nature to blame others for our own faults.

When my boys were small, I interjected during one of their arguments with, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? (They were very familiar with this verse found in James 4:1-2.)

Immediately – without any hesitation – one turned, pointed directly at his brother and declared boldly (and loudly), “HIM!”

To be honest, I had to turn my head in order to hide my smile and laughter. 

While this can be cute in youngsters, it’s repulsive in adults. 

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  (James 4:1-2)

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Indeed, even secular experts advise against playing the blame game. According to SixWise.com, “When you constantly blame others, view yourself as a victim and feel others are causing all of your hardships, you inevitably surround yourself with anger, resentment and negative thoughts… Most experts agree, taking personal responsibility for yourself is not only the adult thing to do, it's the right thing to do…”

 

This proves the Bible true – again!

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.  (Acts 10:34-35)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  (Romans 12:17)

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.   (2 Corinthians 8:21)

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.  (2 Corinthians 13:7)

Don’t you hate it when grown-ups refuse to do what is right? Don’t you find it extremely unnerving – to say the least – when individuals never, ever take responsibility for their own actions, for their own decisions, for their own failures?  Now, imagine you received the blame when you were truly innocent.

This happened in a previous court case in which I was involved. It’s hard to believe, but the defense attorney actually blamed a devoted wife and mother for the husband’s infidelity.

Why? Because his wife planned menus and cooked large meals.

No kidding – it’s true! They literally refused to do the right thing – take responsibility and humbly admit guilt – and placed the blame on the innocent party.

And so it goes. I know someone else who has done this for thirty-plus years and shows no signs of stopping.

It’s sickening to watch really. What a vile act to betray and blame the blameless instead of doing what is right – taking responsibility for one’s own actions like a mature adult! Goodness, even the world knows better!

Be careful, lest you be taken in by those who place blame – rather than accept it – and become a pawn in their game.

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.  (1 John 3:10)

We would do well to consider the blameless – as it is a salvation issue.

LORD , who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?  He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart  and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,  who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD , who keeps his oath even when it hurts,  who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.   (Psalm 15:1-5)

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.  (Psalm 37:37)