“THE BLAME GAME”
Tonight we are going to take a brief interlude away from our ongoing study on...
“...Those things which are most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1)
And instead, we’re going to talk about a little thing – I like to call “The Blame Game”.
You know what The Blame Game is – don’t you?
Because we’ve all played it...
Admittedly some of us play it a lot more than others,
But it’s really all just a game of personal deflection,
That involves blaming everything and everyone else...
For what is transpiring in your own life.
Now God has a very interesting perspective on all of this in His Word,
Because He makes it very clear to us – that He doesn’t play the “Blame Game”.
Instead, He just promises to hold every single one of us accountable...
For our own life choices and decisions.
So turn with me to Ezekiel Chapter 18,
Really interesting opening passage of Scripture tonight,
Because God actually addresses this matter of blame...
And likens it of all things – to that of Sour Grapes.
Let’s pick up our reading together now in verse number 1:
1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
Now Ezekiel is a Prophet…
That is to say He was a messenger and a spokesperson for God
And he is very clear in verse 1 about where He receives this message.
He says…The word of the LORD came unto me…
This is God’s Word and this is His message - So lets just be clear on that to begin with.
Now in understanding this, notice with me what God says next:
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?
“What are you trying to say…” - God says.
“What’s the point behind this Proverb?”
“The fathers have eaten sour grapes - but the children’s teeth are set on edge?”
I wonder - can you pick up on the bitter undertones here?
Can you hear the ready blame in these words?
Because God just calls His people up on it.
I mean, in affect – this is what they were saying,
“Our parents and our forefathers have done wrong…
And now we are the ones who are made to pay.”
“Its everyone else’s fault…”, “everyone else has done this to me…”
“Life just isn’t fair”…“and why should I be made to pay for someone else’s mistakes!”
This is the classic favourite - “The world has done me wrong song!”
This is the Blame Game at its best.
Someone else has done wrong – and now I am made to suffer for it!
God knew exactly what the people were trying to say ok…
And He wasn’t having any part of it!
Because they were merely trying to shed all accountability for their own actions,
And deflect all burden of responsibility onto others.
“Lord it was them – not me!”
“Hey we didn’t cause all this hardship in our lives – they did!”
“Our Fathers are the ones who ate sour grapes,
And now our teeth are set on edge!”
“It’s not fair that we have been left with this sour taste in our mouths.”
Truth 1: Take Responsibility For You!
Have you ever met someone with this kind of mentality?
“I am not responsible for my life…
Because they are the ones who have done this to me“
“I mean clearly it is everybody else’s fault…
And the blame should be levelled at them accordingly”.
Now for people who continually see things this way…
Often they have a very warped and twisted view of reality.
And tonight – God is going to hit home a number of very hard truths,
But truths we need to know and understand all the same.
And here’s the first truth – You have to take responsibility for you!
Don’t assume to take responsibility for everyone else…
Because at the end of the day – you can only be responsible for you.
Look - God knows exactly what’s going on – nothing goes by Him
He knows our hearts - and He knows exactly who’s to blame.
So God just keeps it real…and He makes it really simple for us all,
He says you just take responsibility for you…your actions, your choices and your life,
And I will take responsibility for everyone and everything else!
Read with me now verse number 3:
3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more
to use this proverb in Israel.
Enough excuses - God says…
You don’t get to play the Blame Game with me – Verse 4:
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine:
I know exactly what is going on God says… and then He says this…
…The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
In other words – those that are to be blamed – will be judged.
Truth 2: We Are All Guilty!
And so here’s the second hard hit truth – we are all guilty.
You see this was the ultimate consequence for all who transgressed
God’s Law under the OT – The penalty was “death”.
The problem is – no one can keep God’s perfect Law,
Because we are all sinners!
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…Romans 3:23…and
For the wages of sin [or what we earn for our sin] is death – Romans 6:23.
James declares: For whosoever shall [attempt to] keep the whole law,
and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)
It doesn’t matter if you have sinned a little or you have sinned a lot,
Point is – every single one of us have transgressed God’s law at some point…
And consequently – we are all guilty and worthy death.
Guys none of us can ever even come close
To living upto God’s perfect standards or to upholding His Holy law in our lives…
And this is why “The Blame Game” is never going to work with God.
Its because we are all to be blamed and we are all guilty!
And what’s more – because we have broken God’s Law – we all stand worthy of death.
Thankfully God has never been interested in condemning us - but rather in saving us
In fact, He has only ever wanted to spare us…
From the consequences of our sins through Jesus Christ. Amen!
Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 1:9-10
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves,… [this was what we brought upon ourselves – but]
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us;
God has never been interested in condemning to death…
Because he has only ever wanted to liberate through eternal life.
Truth 3: Blame Leads To Stone Throwing
Now here’s the third hard hit truth we need to acknowledge today,
Blame leads to stone throwing – and stone throwing never has a good outcome.
In fact, under the OT Law – those that were Blamed and found guilty were stoned to death.
Now sin always has consequences – and God Judges sin.
But His desire has never been to condemn. God is really not interested in stone throwing.
Ironically, the only person really qualified to throw the first stone…
In the blame and condemnation of others - never did!
Remember the account we are given in John Chapter 8,
When the Scribes and the Pharisees brought before Jesus…
A women guilty of breaking God’s law – we are told
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: [she’s worthy of death] but what sayest thou? Notice all the Blame here they lay at Jesus feet…
But isn’t it interesting how He answers – because He said:
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
“Ok – you want to play the blame game” – Jesus says…
Whoever is sinless and guiltless in all aspects of their life – let him cast the first stone
Whoever among you has never breached God’s holy law…
Let that person be the one to pass judgement.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Amen - That’s found in John chapter 8:4-11.
Please notice here how Jesus puts all the ownise…
Back onto the individuals for their own conduct.
He sought to hold them responsible for their own actions and decisions.
You see, Jesus has never been interested in the Blame game…
Just as He is not particularly interested in our condemnation of others.
He is interested in what we do with our lives – not in what others do with theirs.
Truth 4: You Will Be Judged
These are some hard truths right!
God says - Take Responsibility For You…Because We Are All Guilty…
And Blame Only Leads to Stone Throwing.
And now here is the last hard hit truth I want you to see - You will be Judged.
Back to our text…the soul that sinneth, it shall die. – Ezekiel chapter 18.
In other words, in God’s eyes - the person who sins…
Is ultimately the person who will bear the responsibility of that sin.
Point and case – You are accountable and you are responsible…
For the way you live your life- Not everybody else.
Not your parents, not your forefathers, not your friends, not your family.
Now throughout the whole rest of the chapter here,
God makes this one point painstakingly clear...
We are the ones responsible and accountable for our own lives,
Just as everyone else will be held responsible for theirs.
God will stand as supreme judge overall – so there is really no need for blame,
Just a pressing need for every man and women to do what’s right...
Knowing that we ourselves will one day be judged.
And guys I have to tell you something – at the end of the day...
The only judgement that will matter is the judgement that you receive.
Drop down and read with me now Verse 20 - The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked
shall be upon him.
“I will hold everyone equally accountable for how they live their lives” – God says.
“Everyone will one day be judged accordingly by me...
So there is No need for blame – by you!
Drop down and read with me Verse 25
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
God says: “The problem here is not my inability to judge between right and wrong – it’s yours.”
“You think you are qualified to condemn others before me?”
“All you want to do is blame your life circumstances on everyone else...”
“Really - sounds like a whole bunch of sour grapes to me – and you’re the one choosing to eat them”
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more
to use this proverb in Israel.
“Cut it out” – God says.
“Don’t play the blame game with me – take responsibility for yourself...
Because one day you too will be judged.”
A Solid Biblical Truth
And guys please understand that this is not just some obscure truth
That is only taught once in the book of Ezekiel.
Oh No – these hard truths are taught over and over again in the Scriptures
For any of us with a heart to see it.
But please don’t take my word for it – lets take a look at what God has to say
As is so frequently the case – there is just so much Scripture to look at,
I am going to ask for some of you to help me.
Deuteronomy 24:16
Job 19:4
1 Corinthians 13:11
Jeremiah 17:10
Matthew 12:36-37
2 Corinthians 5:10
Romans 14:11-13
1 Corinthians 3:8
Your Accountable
Deuteronomy 24:16
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
What’s the principle being taught here?
Your accountable and your responsible for your own life and actions.
Hey under the OT – You breached God’s Holy Law you were worthy of death,
But the person transgressing was the person going to be held responsible.
You will not be held accountable for what other people do...
You will be held accountable - for what you do.
And this is interesting – because even if someone else wrongs you,
God will still hold you accountable for how you respond to them.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says: See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good,
Romans 12:19-20
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
You see God always teaches us what is right in every situation...
And so we will always be accountable before Him for what we do.
Job 19:4
4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
Job says – “Look If I have got some things wrong...
That error rests with me, and me alone – not everyone else.”
I need to take ownership for that.
Grow Up / Mature
1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
You know at some point - you have to grow up
And do you know what a part of growing up is all about...
It’s about taking personal responsibility for your own life...
Its about becoming accountable for your own actions and decisions.
You see, there is just no point running around sucking on sour grapes...
And pointing the finger at everyone else all the time.
That’s what Children do – the mark of maturity however...
Is someone who takes ownership for their own lives, including their own mistakes.
All Judged and Rewarded
Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
You don’t need to lay blame at other peoples feet – “I’ll sort it out” - God says
“Because I know the true motive and intent of people hearts”.
Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Ugh oh! Jesus kind of gets real here with the religious leaders and He says...
“I wouldn’t be worrying about every body else...Best to look to yourself,
Because it’s the very things that you do and say - that you’ll be judged on.”
And this is not just a life lesson for the lost...
Because even us, as saved Children of God, will all be judged one day - 2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Now What does this verse tell us?
It says – One Day we will all be judged and rewarded by Christ
And that on that day He will sort it all out.
The only thing that will matter – is what we have done in our own lives.
Its not going to be about them...or about him, or her.
Its going to be about you and what you’ve done in your life for the Lord.
Romans 14:11-13
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Notice that everyone of us is going to give account of Himself to God
Your not going to be giving an account of everyone else.
Its about you and what you’ve done.
1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Again what’s the principle taught here...
Its that everyone will receive their reward from God – according to what they do.
Its not going to be about what other people do.
And so no matter how you look at it – its always the same.
You are responsible for you – and for your life...and that’s what your going to be judged on.
Conclusion
So then – what can we conclude from all of this?
Well for one thing – God doesn’t play the Blame Game.
We like to play the Blame Game – But God has never had any part in it.
Instead, do you know what God promises...
He just promises to hold every single man and women accountable
For their own lives, actions and decisions.
The righteous will be judged - just the same as the unrighteous.
And mark my words – if there is someone to be blamed – God will take care of it.
So here’s what we need to do...
We need to stop sucking on sour grapes – and we need to take ownership for our own lives.
What have we learnt...
1) Take responsibility for you – because you can’t assume responsibility for anyone else.
2) Know that you too are guilty – for all have sinned...wages of sin is death.
3) Know that blame leads to stone throwing – and God is not interested in throwing stones.
4) Know that like everyone else – you too will one day be judged of God.
Lets once again return to our opening text and to where all this started - Ezekiel 18:1-4
1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
In other words – God says, “I will hold everyone accountable for their own lives.”
From this day forward - let us all learn to live our lives according to God's plan and purpose without Sour Grapes.
