The Fine Art Of Blaming Others

THE FINE ART OF BLAMING OTHERS

"And God said, ’Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?’ Then the man said, ’The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ And the Lord God said to the woman, ’What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ’The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Genesis 3:11-13.

Every parent can testify that the fine art of blaming others is a natural tendency developed from childhood. The effort to shift blame to others begins early in life but all too often it does not end there. The sad fact is that many adults continue to practice this type of deception. The only reason that this is done is because the one assessing blame knows their action, whether in word or deed, is wrong.

Let’s see how this natural propensity of man played out in the Garden of Eden.

I. THE SIN THAT BROUGHT THIS ABOUT:

1. Eve’s sin was caused by her being deceived.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate.” (verse 6a).

2. Adam’s sin was caused by his deliberate disobedience to the command of God. “She also gave to her husband with her and he ate.” (verse 6b).

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” I Timothy 2:14.

“For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

I Corinthians 15:21-22.

II. THE FOLLY IN TRYING TO HIDE FROM GOD:

Recognition of their condition: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked……”

The fig leaves, an inadequate covering: “…and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

Realization of God’s presence: “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day….”

Among the trees” “…and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

III. GOD’S RELENTLESS EFFORT TO SEEK MAN:

“Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you? So he said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (verses 9-10).

IV. BLAMING OTHERS FOR OUR FAILURES:

God’s soul-searching question (text) was followed by their attempt to shift blame to someone else.

Adam’s attempt to swift blame: “The woman You gave to me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” (verse 12).

Eve’s attempt to swift blame: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (verse 13).

CONCLUSION:

Wise indeed in the person who makes no attempt to either hide his sins or to blame others for them. There is great victory in honestly and forthrightly confessing our sins and in accepting full personal responsibility for them. Doing this, we have the assurance if I John 1:9...

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."