“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” Proverbs 19:3 NLT
We live in a culture that wants to shift blame. The headlines tell us about foolish, sinful, or evil behavior followed by an explanation or rationale behind the action. It seems like personal responsibility is being replaced with victim mentality. This weeks’ Proverb tells of those who shift the blame to the Lord. James tells us that it isn’t the Lord Who tempts us.
“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” James 1:13-14 NLT
Some desires are just according to our nature, it is what we do with them that leads to good or bad. Hunger is satisfied with good food or it can be satisfied with Baskin Robbins chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Chocolate peanut butter ice cream might taste really good (and it sure does!), but a steady diet of it will lead to a few undesirable results. To blame the results on the Lord would be foolish. Not only is the blame misplaced, but it does little to take responsibility and correct the behavior.
This week maybe it is time to take responsibility for some of the consequences in our lives, and begin to change.
