CWW Week 43 - Blame
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Devotional: “The Blame Game”
Key Verse:
“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)
The moment sin entered the world, something else entered with it: blame. In Genesis 3:12, Adam, freshly aware of his disobedience, doesn’t take responsibility. He points his finger—first at Eve, and then, subtly, at God Himself: “The woman You put here with me…” It’s the oldest move in the book—shift the blame, protect ourselves, and avoid the sting of owning up.
It’s a move we’ve all repeated in our own way. Whether it’s a quick excuse at work, a harsh word we justify in marriage, or even resentment we harbour against God, the instinct to blame is deeply human. But left unchecked, it poisons our relationships and stunts our spiritual growth.
Where Blame Begins
Blame often begins with shame. Adam and Eve had just eaten the fruit God told them not to. Suddenly aware of their nakedness and guilt, they tried to cover themselves and hide from God. But God came, not to shame them, but to call them back into relationship.
Instead of confessing, Adam blames. And in blaming, he builds a wall. That’s what blame does—it distances us from others, from God, and even from our true selves.
At its heart, blame is about deflection. We don’t want to deal with the discomfort of our actions, so we point somewhere else. “It’s not my fault.” “They made me do it.” “If God had only done things differently…” Sound familiar?
We see it in families, in churches, in friendships. The moment something goes wrong, our first reaction is often, “Who’s to blame?” instead of “What can I take responsibility for?” But healing doesn’t come through pointing fingers—it comes through honest surrender.
Blame Destroys Accountability
God asks Adam a direct question: “Have you eaten from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?” It’s a yes or no question. But instead of a straight answer, Adam offers blame. In doing so, he avoids responsibility—but he also avoids growth.
We can’t heal from what we won’t admit. Blame keeps us stuck in cycles of frustration and immaturity. It blinds us to our own role in the problems we face. It stops us from seeking God’s transforming grace because we think someone else needs to change first.
Blame also damages relationships. It turns loved ones into enemies. It erodes trust. In Adam’s case, it put a wedge between him and Eve, and even between him and God. Instead of facing the problem together, blame drove them apart.
How different might the story have gone if Adam had simply said, “Yes, Lord. I disobeyed. I’m sorry.” The consequences of sin were already unfolding, but confession could have opened the door to grace much sooner.
God’s Invitation to Honesty
God didn’t ask Adam what happened because He didn’t know. He asked because He wanted Adam to face the truth—to stop hiding, stop blaming, and start healing.
That same invitation is extended to us. God still calls to His children, “Where are you?” Not because He’s lost us, but because He wants us to stop hiding behind excuses and come into the light.
God can handle our failure. What He’s looking for is honesty. He doesn’t bless blame; He blesses humility. Psalm 51:17 says, “A broken and contrite heart, You, God, will not despise.” When we come clean, God covers us—not with fig leaves, but with grace.
Jesus came to reverse the curse that began in the garden. At the cross, He bore the blame that wasn’t His—so we could stop casting blame and start walking in forgiveness. When we accept that grace, it changes how we treat others. We stop blaming and start building. We stop shifting and start growing.
A Better Way Forward
What would our homes look like if we took responsibility instead of blaming? What would our churches look like if we sought understanding before accusing? What would our lives look like if we said, “God, I was wrong. Please help me make it right”?
That’s the way of the Kingdom. It’s not the easy way, but it’s the way that leads to life, freedom, and restoration.
Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life are you tempted to blame others (or even God) instead of taking personal responsibility?
- Is there a relationship that’s been damaged by blame? What would it look like to apologise or own your part?
- What might God be asking you to confess today—not to shame you, but to heal you?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Papa God,
I confess that I’ve blamed others when I should’ve looked within. Sometimes I shift the focus away from my own faults to avoid the pain of honesty. But You see it all—and still, You love me.
Please forgive me for the times I’ve pointed fingers instead of turning to You in humility. Help me to own my mistakes, to stop hiding, and to walk in Your truth. Teach me to build bridges, not walls. Let my words bring healing, not division.
Thank You for Your patience. Thank You that Jesus bore the blame so I could be free from shame. Help me live in that freedom today—with honesty, courage, and grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
