Don't Deflect

Genesis 3:11-12, ESV

He [God] said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

Exodus 32:21-24, ESV

And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”

1 Samuel 13:11-13, ESV

Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

Revelation 3:19, NIV

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

When we are spiritually confronted by God or by people, and we are tempted to deflect responsibility, it’s a sure sign that we are in error.

When we justify, blame, and refuse to take responsibility for our sin, we divert the momentum of our own growth—and of our own destiny.

We must oppose our desire to deflect responsibility when we sin, but rather be quick—even eager—to repent. 

Oh Lord, thank you for your patience and mercy. Please help us to be quick to respond to the conviction of your Spirit and eager to repent. Amen.