Stop Blaming Others

Ezekiel 18 “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die,” (2 Sam. 12:13, NASB). On Friday August 11, 2017 a “Unite the Right” rally was formed to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. On Saturday August 12, 2017 the demonstrators clashed with counter-demonstrators. A speeding car driven by one of the white supremacists ran over several members of a group of counter-demonstrators injuring several and killing one young woman. President Trump made a statement about violence and he attributed the problem to racism and hatred “on many sides.” The news media and politicians from both major political parties were upset that the president did not call the names of the white supremacists groups, e.g. the KKK and neo-Nazis. Over the past several days following this incident I have been thinking about something that bothers me a great deal. I ask myself, why the counter-demonstrations that bring them into contact with a group of people that have a history of violence. Why did they not wait and demonstrate to make their point later? Why do the media want these groups condemned for their physical violence when there is economic violence against American citizens every day? Are these right-wing groups the blame for America’s problems? So, who are we to blame for what happens in our individual lives? Does mainstream society blame groups like the KKK for the racism in America as a means to not taking responsibility for its own attitudes and practices? What happens when we tell people that someone else is the blame for their problems while at the same time we do not help them to take responsibility for what takes place in their own life? Today’s article “Stop Blaming Others” is based on Ezekiel 18. I believe that Christians in America are blaming the government and extreme groups for America’s problems instead of owning up to their own sins; especially their neglect of calling sins by their names, teaching those in the body of Christ the truth found in God’s Word, and holding members to the same standards that they are calling for those outside the body to hold to. Let us look at Ezekiel 18. Ezekiel is a prophet that lives among the exiles of Judah in Babylon. The exiles are blaming their fathers for their being in exile. God challenges this claim. Through the prophet the Lord ask the exiles a question. “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children’s teeth are set on edge”? ‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore’” (Ezek. 18:1-2, NASB). Can you imagine how these exiles feel when they hear the prophet speak these words? Do you think that they believe that the Lord said this? Did God not speak to Moses on Mount Sinai saying these words: “the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate me” (Exod. 20:5, NASB). Yes, God said these words, but the people are taking them out of context and rewording what God said to fit their own needs. The statement in Exodus states the possible effects that the parent’s words and actions might have upon future generations, but each individual has a chance to rise above the conditions that he or she is born into. As such, God holds each individual accountable for their own decisions and actions. God declares this when He says, “Behold all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die” (v. 4). The remainder of the chapter gives explanations of how God judges the life of the father and the life of the son based on their own decisions and actions. There are at least four reasons that God judges each individual on her and his own merits. First, through the prophet, God says “every human being is created as a unique individual by God. ‘“Behold, all souls are mine’” (v. 4). The psalmist writes, ‘For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.” “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, And my soul knows it very well” (Ps. 139:13-14; vv. 15-16, NASB)). In addition to these words, today we have the witness of scientific evidence. Each individual has their own fingerprints, and their own DNA. For example, the use of DNA is used to prove the guilt and innocence of persons accused and convicted of crimes. This is possible because no two people have the same DNA pattern. Secondly, God knows us completely, and He holds each individual accountable for her and his own thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The prophet says, “The soul who sins will die” (v. 4). Although individuals are influenced by other persons and society’s norms they are held accountable for themselves. Nature proves God’s existence and what God is like. Paul writes: “That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19-20). Also, God gives each individual a conscience. Paul writes: “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus” (Rom. 2:14-16, NASB). Thus God says to the exiles, each individual will be held accountable for their own actions. Thirdly, God calls us to take responsibility for our own life. ‘“The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself’” (v. 20, NASB). We cannot do what we want to do and then blame someone else for the things that happen to us. Let me give an example. When our son Jamil was a teenager I asked him this question: “Do you always do what your mother tells you to do when she is right”? He replies, “No.” I ask him, “Then why do you think that you have to do what she says when she is wrong? The truth is that you are making up your own mind about what you want to do when she is right and when she is wrong. You are responsible for your own decisions.” We need to stop giving people excuses by blaming others. We need to equip people by giving them the tools that they need to overcome the barriers in their life. Each individual is responsible for his and her course of life. Fourthly, God wants everyone to live. He gives us a chance to make things right. God says, ‘“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,’ declares the Lord God. ‘Therefore, repent and live’” (v. 32, NASB). I do not want to minimize the effects of the wickedness of others upon our individual lives. However, we cannot control the thoughts, attitudes, and actions of other people. But, by faith we can overcome great obstacles and achieve in our purpose (Hebrews 11). Let us be accountable unto God. Let us take responsibility for our own lives. Let us stop blaming others.