Introduction

 A. The oldest ancient game played in the world then and now started in the Garden of Eden.

   1. This game called Blame Shifting is still being played by many people today.

   2. Let us see how everything began for Jesus said " You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," John 8:32

 B. Our approach in this study shall be as follows:

   1. Meaning of Blame Shifting..how it all started?

   2. Why is it still being done today by many people?

   3. Some biblical examples of blame shifting; the consequences

   4. What should be done so as not to be guilty of blame-shifting today?

Discussion

 A. Meaning of blame-shifting and how it all started

   1. Something wrong/ inappropriate  action done; then dumps the blame on someone else to avoid taking responsibility

    2. Emotionally abusive behavior and tactic; an ultimate act of selfishness

   3. It all started in the Garden of Eden

    a. Adam and Eve forbidden to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 2:16-17

    b. The serpent ( Satan) tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and she did eat it; gave to Adam also

   c. When confronted by God- Adam blamed God and Eve and the woman blamed the serpent ( Satan)

 B.Why is it still being done by many people?

  1. Human nature is still the same today as it was from the beginning

  2. Blame shifting is still being done today because many do not own the responsibility for their word/ action

  3. Gayle Howell said " blame shifting is the ultimate act of selfishness!"

   - pride is the root of this type of behavior and God hates pride!

  4. Romans 3:23 " For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

  5. Satan deceived Eve by saying         " you will NOT die but you will be like God knowing good and evil," Genesis 3:4

  6. The reasons for Eve's sin in Eden are still the same today, Genesis 3:6

    - good for food ( flesh)

    - pleasant to the eyes 

    - desirable for wisdom (pride)

  7. Similar to what the apostle wrote in I John 2:16 ( lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life)

C. Some Examples of Blame Shifting; their consequences

  1. After the first sin in Paradise, God punished the serpent, Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:14-19

    - serpent was to crawl on its belly and eat dust; enmity with the woman and her offspring; to be struck on its head

     - woman was to have pain in childbearing; to obey her husband

     - man had to till the ground to get his food

  2.God told Moses " to speak to the rock for water to come out of it so the Israelites could drink from that,"

   - Moses did not only speak to the rock at Meribah but also struck the rock twice

   - as he disobeyed God, he was allowed to enter Canaan, Numbers 20:7-12

   - in Deuteronomy 3:26, Moses blamed the Israelites for his sin and said, " it is because of you that God is angry with me!"

D. What should be done so as not to be guilty of blame-shifting today?

  1. Be responsible for own sins, mistakes or failures

   - I John 1:8-10 " if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not with us.

     If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

     If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word has no place in our lives."

    2. We should realize that " the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord," Romans 6:23

    3. We should return to God and beg for His mercy, rather than giving something to God

     - Jesus said, " I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call the righteous, but sinners" Matthew 9:13

     - Samuel told King Saul, " to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams," I Samuel 15:22

    4. Finally, the apostle Peter said, " Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38

Conclusion

 A. It is high time that we humble ourselves before God and accept that we need Him for forgiveness and healing

  1. " Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall," Proverbs 16:18

  2. Let us be like the publican who smote upon his breast, saying, " God be merciful to me a SINNER," Luke 18:13

 B. Jesus now invites you to come to Him as He said in Matthew 11:28-30

  1. " Believe in Him and be baptized to be saved," Mark 16:16

  2. The apostle Paul wrote," Now is the acceptable time, today is the day of salvation," 2 Corinthians 6:2

  3. There is no second chance in the after life for after death comes the judgment of God, Hebrews 9:27