Taking responsibility for our actions is never easy, and sometimes we find it easier to shift the blame to others. Adam and Eve sinned, and when confronted by God, they immediately did everything possible to avoid responsibility. Adam blamed his wife, Eve, for giving him fruit from the tree which they were forbidden. Genesis 3:12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” [1]
Eve then blamed the serpent for deceiving her. Genesis 3:13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” [2] The Lord listened to both Adam and Eve, ignored their lame excuses, and announced the consequences of their disobedience.
Forgiveness and Restoration
As life unfolds, we sin daily and can make poor decisions. As much as we like to blame others, forgiveness and restoration can’t occur until we accept responsibility for our actions. When we repent, we admit our sins to the Lord. The healing process can begin when we repent and do not blame others. The Holy Spirit always prompts us to be honest with ourselves, others, and the Lord with what we have done.
The Lord may not like what we have done, but He forgives and restores us when we confess our sins. Admitting our sins is not easy, but God lifts a weight off us when we do. King David tells about his restoration when confronted with his sin. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you. [3]
The New Nature in Christ
You have a new nature in Christ when you know Jesus as your Savior. Colossians 3:9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. [4]
To put on the new nature is to spend time with the Lord and feed our faith, which is an act of our will. As we spend time with the Lord, He molds and shapes us. Throughout our life in this world, there will be an ongoing battle between our new nature in Christ and our sinful nature, but with God’s help, we can be overcomers.
To learn about taking responsibility for our actions, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/beginnings-fall
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.