goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Quit the Pretense

By Linda Tancs

In Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Brutus is reminded that the fault “is not with our stars but within ourselves….” In other words, fate is not responsible for our actions; we are. God expects us to take responsibility for our actions instead of refusing to take responsibility and blaming God (or others) for our mistakes, and He aids us in facing our transgressions (Proverbs 28:13). If it were not so, then we would not be required to give an account for our life and actions (Hebrews 4:13).

***************

As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Blame Game

By Linda Tancs

In psychology, projection is a theory in which the human ego defends itself against unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others. In the vernacular, we call it “the blame game.” It’s as old as time. Remember the story of Adam and Eve? Adam confessed to God that he ate the forbidden fruit, only to add that Eve made him do it. Then Eve blamed the whole thing on the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13). And so derives the expression, “the devil made me do it.”

Do you tend to blame others? It’s a widespread problem that starts pretty early; just watch what happens in a schoolyard or in the classroom. The Bible reminds us to always take responsibility for our own actions (see, e.g., Matthew 7:3-5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 2:1). Submit yourself to God (James 4:7) and above all, don’t blame Him (James 1:13-15).