JUN 10

James 1:13-16
Memorise James 1:2
“…who art thou that repliest against God?”

In the rebelliousness and evilness of the heart, we may sometimes blame God for the sins that we commit. We may think, “If God had not allowed me to be tempted, then I would not have sinned and would not be guilty”. Although it seems silly that one should blame another for his own misdeeds, yet, that is what we do. In so doing, we imply that we regard God as one who is wicked and sadistic and delights to watch us suffer. This is so very far from the truth and we conjure these vain ideas from the depravity of our hearts. We are to be blamed, no one else, for the sins we commit. James 1:13 is very clear in stating that God cannot be tempted and does not tempt anyone to sin. Verse 14 then tells us that it is a man’s own lust that draws him away into sin. Hence although a man is tempted, it is when he succumbs to his own lust that he commits sin. God is not to be blamed at all. Man is responsible for every aspect of his own sin. Further, we have learnt from 1 Corinthians 10:13 that all temptations can be resisted if we choose to do so. We can choose to resist sin or we can choose to succumb to it. We are ultimately accountable and no one else should be held responsible for our sins, especially not God. If we blame God and accuse Him of being evil, then we make God a liar because God comes to us in love and has sacrificed His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. God who loves us cannot mean us harm.

Hence, we cannot at any time place the blame on God. It takes a very hardened heart to place the blame on God. We have to recognize the depravity of our own hearts and how deeply sinful we have been and continue to be. We have to humbly recognize our unworthiness and our weakness and accept the responsibility for our own sins. We deserve every accusation of sin that we have committed. We could have avoided sin, but our depraved hearts choose to commit it anyway. If we know the heart of God and what He desires for us, we would not think of blaming God. May you recognize the true state of your heart and the truth of who our loving God really is and His desire to save you, not hurt you.

Thought: How could anyone think that a thrice-holy God would cause us to sin?
Prayer: Lord, forgive me, I have spurned Your love for me and blamed You for my own sins. Wash me pure again.