The Blame Game

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” James 1:13

It’s a terrible argument: “If God didn’t want me to leave my wife and fall in love with (name) and marry her, why did He bring her into my life?” Given the number of complex situations we encounter in life, blaming God for all of them would become a full-time job. The Bible is clear that God doesn’t tempt anyone to sin. If we respond sinfully to any temptation it is our problem, not God’s (James 1:13-15). God is a giver of good gifts, not tempting or evil gifts (James 1:16-17). In fact, Solomon warns us we should be careful about being “rash” with our mouth, about uttering “anything hastily before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)—such as, “God, why did You...?” “Therefore,” Solomon writes, “let your words be few” (verse 2). Words of accusation or blame, that is. If you have a question for God about your circumstances, ask Him. Then let His peace guard your heart and mind in Christ (Philippians 4:6-7). There is no peace in playing the blame game with God.

 “God doesn’t want to keep changing your circumstances; he wants to change you.” 

J. Sidlow Baxter