I remember a time when I got into trouble. I had written some really bad things on a note about another kid. My teacher found it and asked who had written the note. I obviously didn’t want to get in trouble, so I didn’t admit that I had written it.
Unfortunately, I was one of the best spellers in the class, and I had spelled several really difficult words correctly in the note. My teacher asked me if I had written it, and I finally admitted that I did.
I’m sure you’re like me, and have done something that wasn’t right before. What happens when that sin is brought to light? Do you admit that you did wrong? Or do you try to hide it or blame someone else? If you choose hiding and blaming someone else, then you’re just like Adam and Eve. When they sinned, they began shifting the blame elsewhere.
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” – Genesis 3:12 (NIV)
Shifting the blame is what we all like to do when we get caught doing something that isn’t right. We come up with some excuse or reason why we didn’t do the right thing, and do whatever it takes to avoid admitting wrong.
And while that’s the easy and natural thing to do, it doesn’t make it the right thing to do. Instead of shifting blame, we should own up to our mistakes, take them to Jesus get forgiveness and then make any restoration that might be necessary.
And doing that isn’t easy. It takes guts and humility. It isn’t easy to look bad in front of someone else. We’d rather save face. But admitting wrong is the right thing to do when you’ve done something wrong. So today, challenge yourself. Don’t just shift the blame, but admit your wrongs, look to Jesus for forgiveness and choose to do better next time.
