Life Journal

Date: 01-02-2020

 Title: Knowledge and Casting Blame

(S) cripture: Genesis 3:7-14 (NASB77) 7  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

8  And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

9  Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, ” Where are you?”

10  And he said, ” I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

11  And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

12   And the man said, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”

13  Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, ” The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14  And the LORD God said to the serpent, ” Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly shall you go, And dust shall you eat All the days of your life;

(O) bservation: God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was not to inhibit but was to allow them to live freely before and enjoying God’s presence. The temptation was to be like God and in so doing they became overcome with guilt and shame. The knowledge they gained led to a loss of innocence and a recognition of their nakedness (sin). This knowledge then led them to try to cover up their nakedness and hid from God. When confronted about the sin, Adam blamed Eve, and then Eve blamed the serpent. This knowledge caused them to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

(A) pplication: I see a great deal of the same in our world  and in my own life today. Romans tells us that “through the Law comes a knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). That knowledge is also active in me triggering a desire to avoid responsibility for my sin and at time to cast the blame on others. I know that nothing can make me sin, it is always a choice I make. I am thankful for a Savior and the full forgiveness He has given me. Today I will not cast blame on others but will accept the responsibility and confess my sin to the Lord and make things right where needed.

(P) rayer: Lord, today I want to be so in tune with you that I will use the knowledge you have given me to live for you and to make an impact for you in the lives of others. Make me keenly aware of when I am casting blame and help me to stop. I thank you for your forgiveness and constant presence in my life. Amen