February 7th, 2024

When it comes to succumbing to temptation, we are all pretty good at passing the buck. It is never our fault. Either the devil made us do it, or we were led astray by friends, or there were extenuating circumstances, or… The list is endless, and while blame-shifting may temporarily ease our guilty conscience, it does nothing to help us overcome the temptations we are so prone to. In fact, it is counterproductive. As long as we blame others, we have no conscious need of God’s help thereby cutting ourselves off from the source of our strength. Conversely, the sooner we accept responsibility for our actions the sooner we can draw upon God’s resources to overcome.

“For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;”

— Psalm 51:3-4 (NIV)

Lord Jesus, forgive us our trespasses for we are to blame. Amen.