Today, I would like to talk about a game we all try to play at one time or another, new Christians and old Christians. It’s called the Blame Game. You know, that tendency we all have to point fingers and shift responsibility onto others when things go wrong?

So often, when faced with challenges or setbacks, we’re quick to blame external factors – our circumstances, other people, even God – for our own actions, attitudes, and emotions. But here’s the thing: playing the blame game only keeps us stuck in a cycle of negativity and excuses.

In the Bible, we see plenty of examples of people falling into the trap of blaming others. Take Adam and Eve, for instance. When confronted about eating the forbidden fruit, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13). Sound familiar?

But here’s the kicker: God didn’t buy into their blame-shifting. He held them accountable for their actions and their choices. And you know what? He does the same for us.

In Psalm 51:10, David writes, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David understood the importance of taking responsibility for his own heart and his own actions. He didn’t blame others for his mistakes; instead, he turned to God in prayer and sought forgiveness and renewal.

So, how do we break free from the blame game and take responsibility for our own lives? It starts with looking inward, examining our hearts, and acknowledging our own faults and shortcomings. We need to stop making excuses and start owning up to our mistakes.

But we don’t have to do it alone. We can turn to God’s Word for guidance and wisdom. In James 5:16, we’re encouraged to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, so that we may be healed. Surrounding ourselves with mature, older Christians who can hold us accountable and offer support and encouragement is also key.

Even when we make mistakes, God is ready to forgive us. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is a good example of God’s forgiveness. The son made mistakes but the father welcomed him back. This shows God’s love and forgiveness for his children.

If you have been playing the blame game simply confess it to God and ask for his forgiveness.  The Hebrew word for “confesses” is “yada”. It means to know, to acknowledge and it is used in many places in the Bible like in Psalm 32:5, where David confesses his sin to God. Confessing is not just saying words, but truly knowing and acknowledging our mistakes. Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” This verse tells us to admit our mistakes and stop blaming others.

So, let’s make a commitment today to stop playing the blame game. Let’s take responsibility for our actions, our attitudes, our circumstances, and our emotions. Let’s look inward, fix what needs fixing, and lean on God and our fellow believers for strength and support along the way. Together, we can break free from the cycle of blame and walk in the freedom and forgiveness that Christ offers us.