When finally Adam and Eve had to face the truth about their sin, they caved in weakness by blaming each other. This action resulted in the Lord pronouncing a punishment on them.
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:11-13
God asked Adam if he had eaten the fruit He had commanded him not to eat. Instead of admitting his fault and taking responsibility, Adam blamed God and Eve. First, he stated that the woman the Lord gave him brought this about. Then he said that the woman gave him the fruit.
I wonder if Adam really thought his excuse was convincing to God! According to Genesis chapter 2, God had created Eve perfectly, and Adam was impressed when he saw her.
Blaming is a key hallmark of sin, where a person is not willing to take responsibility for their actions and instead blames others. Even if we are successful in convincing others with the blame game, it keeps us stuck in our issues and does not challenge us to change and grow from our mistakes. We become too busy defending ourselves to look in the mirror and take responsibility. Similarly, Eve did the same thing by blaming the serpent.
Blaming leads to relational breakdown because survival becomes the main goal for each person. It doesn’t matter if their actions or statements hurt or defame someone else.
The enemy is like a roaring lion looking to see who he can devour, often tempting people to sin, which leads to blame and shame, ultimately stealing and destroying relationships with God and others.
Are there things you have blamed others for when, in truth, you had an important part to play? Have you taken responsibility for your part and repented from sin?
Adam and Eve have much to teach us about what not to do. Temptations are all around us, and we need to stay alert and not give an inch to the enemy to have a foothold in our lives. Let us learn from Adam and Eve’s experience, striving to face our sins honestly and seek repentance, trusting in God’s grace to restore us.