The “blame game” is a generational sin passed from Adam. I am sure you remember the story from the Bible of Adam & Eve and the sin that was “blamed” on Eve. It is the first incident in the bible where we clearly see Satan at work. God told Adam and Eve that they could eat from any of the trees in the garden except the tree of “knowledge”. When God confronted Adam and Eve for their disobedience, neither one excepted responsibility for their actions. Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve first, then blamed God for giving him Eve. Sin had taken claim over Adam and Eve. Both of them made excuses as a means of avoiding personal responsibility. As long as Adam could blame Eve, he felt he did not need to be held accountable. And as long as Eve could blame the serpent, she was an innocent victim. How did God respond? They had to face the consequences for the sin. God has not changed. When we refuse to accept responsibility, what have we gained? We alienate those that we unjustly blame, and God still holds us accountable for OUR behavior.

Blame is a defense mechanism that is used to protect against anxieties that stem from unpleasant feelings, thoughts, and ungodly behaviors. Denial and projection are also defense mechanisms that are sometimes used with blame. Projection is where a person transfers guilt, thoughts and emotions to someone else. A spouse may accuse the other of being unfaithful when in fact, the accuser is the one that is cheating. This type of projection does not make the accuser innocent, but blaming the other person somehow makes the accuser feel better about the sin. Denial is the refusal to accept reality, and is sometimes used with projection. A person may deny the behavior or event and then blame the behavior on the person that was hurt.

One aspect of blaming is when we make it our business to focus on someone else’s sin instead of our own. Jesus said we must first focus on our own shortcoming, on changes we need to make. Matthew 7:3-5 says “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye “. If you condemn someone for something you yourself are guilty of, you bring condemnation upon yourself.

Projection, denial and blaming others is unjust, hurtful and selfish. It increases the guilt of the accuser, and delays the healing process in relationships. Using these mechanisms will not make you innocent to those involved, nor to God. You may fool your friends and neighbors but God will hold you accountable for your actions and behavior. Soon or later you will have to deal with the consequences of blaming others and not taking responsibility for your actions. Take responsibility and ask those you have hurt for forgiveness; don’t be like Adam and Eve and get casted out the “garden”.

Sidebar: What types of spirits can be identified in this episode of the Bible?