"It’s Not My Fault," says,

J.J. Turner from Whites Ferry CoC, in West Monroe, Louisiana, in his book, Positive Christian Living, in the chapter entitled: "You are responsible for your life."

The Following are excerpts from this chapter

He starts by illustrating the "blame game" that many people and most of us are prone to play.

The "Blame Game"

A mother stands before a judge with tears in her eyes and said, "Your Honor, Harold is not responsible for all those horrible things they said he did. Those bums he has been running around with are to blame."

An angry mother shouted at the high school teacher, "You’re the reason why Mary isn’t passing in school."

A church member has stopped attending church services. Upon being visited, she says, "The members of the church are snobs. They drove me away with their lack of friendliness."

If you hope to develop a positive Christian life-style, you must become a totally responsible person. You must accept responsibility for your life. You must be willing to accept the blame for your faults, failures, weaknesses and mistakes. When you shift blame to others, God still holds you responsible. This is a truth which many people never seem to learn.

The blame game is played in every area of human endeavor. The social worker blames the community, the psychologist blames the parents, the dietitian blames the food manufacturers, the speeder blames the policeman, the loser blames luck, the pessimist blames fate, the christian blames God, the sinner blames the devil and on and on it goes.

In the midst of all this blaming, God’s word speaks loudly and clearly. Man is responsible for his actions. More specifically, YOU are responsible for your life and actions, I am responsible for my life and actions. Accountability is the keyword. The most frightening fact we have to face is that: "…​ every one of us shall give account of HIMSELF to God" (Romans 14:12).

The first account in the Bible of the blame game is from the very beginning with Adam and Eve. After God created them, He placed them in the garden to tend it. They had a choice to freely eat of every tree but one. (Genesis 1,2,3). Eve, however, chose to listen to the voice of Satan rather than God (Genesis 3:1-10).

Adam quickly followed her example and violated God’s command (Genesis 3:6). Soon after their sin, God calls them into account asking, "…​ Have you eaten of the tree I commanded you not to eat?" And the man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat" (Genesis 3:12). Adam isn’t satisfied to just blame Eve, but he also blames God, who gave him his wife. When God asks Eve about her transgression she said, "…​ the serpent deceived me, and I did eat" (Genesis 3:13). Eve blames the serpent (i.e. the devil) for her sin. What was God’s response? He pronounces judgment on Adam & Eve for their sin and drives them out of the garden. From this time onward, IT IS CLEARLY SEEN in the Bible that each person is responsible for their own actions.

There is no way to determine why every person blames someone else for their problems, actions, and failures. However, some reasons are:

  • It is what you have been exposed to all of your life.

  • It is the result of fear of accepting the consequence of accepting responsibility.

  • It is a weakness of the flesh.

  • The results from the lack of spiritual growth (Gal 5:19-21)

  • It may be an attempt to escape guilt and it’s the "easy" way out.

  • It may be a result of poor self-esteem.

  • It could be an act of selfishness and a lack of love for self and others.

So, what to do about it?

Normally, when a person assumes a new job or responsibility, one of the first things he learns is what it takes to fulfill the job. He will usually ask, "What am I responsible for?" More important, however, than job responsibilities are the responsibilities of life. You are responsible for the things that daily challenge your life. Now, that doesn’t mean YOU cause everything that happens, but it does mean you are responsible for HOW you handle them. Like:

  • You are responsible for what you think.

    Proverbs 23:7

    For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

  • You control what you put into your mind.

    Philippians 4:7-9

    and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

  • You are responsible for what you say.

    James 1:19,20

    So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

  • You are responsible for your actions.

    James 1:21,22

    Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

SOME OTHER THINGS WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR

  • You are responsible for your feelings.

  • If you don’t like yourself, you are responsible.

  • If you don’t have friends, you are responsible.

  • If you don’t like your job, you are responsible.

  • If you don’t like going to church services, you are responsible.

  • If you aren’t growing as a christian, you are responsible.

  • If you don’t like the way you are treated, you are responsible.

  • If there are things in your life you don’t like, you are responsible.

  • If you don’t have enough money, you are responsible.

  • If you aren’t happy, you are responsible.

  • If you can’t get along with people, you are responsible.

  • If you are worrying, you are responsible.

Conclusion:

The FIRST step in building a positive christian life IS taking responsibility for your life

You will never be happy until you take responsibility for your life. Having done this, turn it over to God and let Him guide you to peace and happiness. Through accepting responsibility for your life you will be able to develop a positive christian life. It is time for the "blame game" to end…​ Will you stop the game?

Invitation

We are extending the invitation, now, to anyone who is subject to it. Come,…​ while we stand and sing.