He hadn’t found anyone just like him, so God fixed his problem. Now she had created a bigger one.
God finished creation with crown Adam. But as Adam looked over God’s finished product, there was no one he could relate to. Recognizing Adam’s unhealthy situation, God anesthetized him, took a rib and created a partner for him. Though initially excited, he wasn’t now.
An intruder had slithered into the Garden-a serpent named Satan, and his goal was to test the young couple’s allegiance to God. With his smooth tongue, he convinced Eve to eat the fruit, insinuating her eyes would be opened and she would be God. She took the bait, offered some to Adam, and he fell too.
When the time arrived for their evening stroll with God, they hid. God knew why but he wanted to know if they did. “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from” Genesis 3:11 (NIV)?
Instead of owning up to his mistake, Adam blamed Eve. Eve didn’t want the blame either so she fingered the serpent. And though he didn’t, Satan could have blamed God. After all, had God not brought him into existence?
Thousands of years later, the rules of the game haven’t changed. We’ve even manufactured new pieces and created new rules. Government, the economy, political leaders, teachers, peers, comrades, parents, grandparents, spouses, and attorneys are all fair game. Anyone or anything to keep the finger from reversing.
It wasn’t Eve’s fault that Adam gave in nor was it the serpent’s that Eve succumbed. And what the serpent invited them to do surely wasn’t God’s responsibility. Rather, The soul who sins is the one who will die (Ezekiel 18:20 NIV).
While others-at the behest of our enemy, can create circumstances making it easier for us to sin, the decision is ours, and God holds us accountable. The blame game may ease our consciences but it doesn’t lessen our responsibility. Owning up to our mistakes by confession is the only path to power, freedom and forgiveness.
Prayer: Father in heaven, when we’re tempted to pass the buck, remind us the buck stops with us. www.lovelinesfromgod.com
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