TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Please read Genesis 3:1-13
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:8-13
DEVOTIONAL
by Elder Chris Beltran
Often, when we are caught doing something wrong, we refuse to take responsibility for our actions. Look at what happened to our first parents, Adam and Eve. After experiencing all the blessings given to them by our Father God, they were tempted by the promise of wisdom, took the forbidden fruit, ate it, and disobeyed the commandment of God.
Both of them did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility and accountability for their sins. Adam blamed his wife, “She gave me the fruit.” And even pointed an accusing finger at God, saying, “The woman whom You gave me…” Eve blamed the serpent, saying, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” God ignored their excuses and pronounced judgment they would be facing as consequences for their disobedience (vv. 14-19).
As we look with amusement at their way of trying to avoid accountability, often we also are like them, refusing to take responsibility. “Our spouse is not understanding.” “We are so busy.” “Our friends let us down.” “Our employer is not caring.” “I was pressured.” “Our pastor is not a good preacher; that is why I’m not growing.” Excuses are many, but remember what God did: He ignored Adam and Eve’s excuses. Forgiveness, mercy, and restoration will not happen until we accept full responsibility for our actions.
If we make it a habit of making excuses and blaming others for our failures, we will never reach a point of genuine repentance. God will hold us accountable for our actions, not others, no matter how you blame them. When we blame and criticize others, we avoid some weakness and truth about ourselves.
Make it a point to strive to take responsibility for our own sins and ask for his mercy and forgiveness. This will free us to move forward to grow in our walk with Him. Before we place blame to escape accountability, let us be reminded that God knows our every thought, every motive, and what’s in our hearts. We may be able to deceive others by placing blame, but we can never escape God.
PRAYER
Lord, nothing escapes You. You know my every thought, every way, my motives, and what’s inside our hearts. Help us to seek Your forgiveness and mercy every time we sin and not try to downgrade it by putting the blame on others. Help me, Lord. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
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