4:315 – You Are Not Responsible For Other’s Actions!

#faithbites #faithjourney responsible

Setting

Life is hard. We want to help everyone. We want people to be successful. Sometimes that’s just not the way it plays out. They say you can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink. It is so true. One of the greatest harms we do is taking responsibility for other people’s actions. It has to stop. There is only so much love, support, caring, and compassion we can give. We can’t make the choices for someone. We have to acknowledge that their choices are their own. This topic reminds me of the song, The Freshman from the Verve Pipe. We may be sobbing with our heads on the floor when someone makes a bad choice, but we aren’t responsible.

Today’s Questions: How do you not blame yourself for others’ mistakes? How do you get past the would’ve/could’ve/should’ve state?

Scripture

• Ezekiel 18 1-4 – The word of the Lord came to me: ² “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:“‘The parents eat sour grapes,    and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? ³ “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. ⁴ For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die
• Ezekiel 18:30 – ³⁰ “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. ³¹ Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? ³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Reflection.

Scripture is clear about personal responsibility. In Ezekiel, we see that the sins of the father statement shouldn’t be used anymore. That the one who sins is the one who will die. God is showing us that we are each responsible for our actions. In many cases, the term father could be replaced with a friend, family member, or loved one. We are not responsible for what others do. Our words can hurt and help, but the person still makes their own decisions. Later in Ezekiel, we see that God judges each one as an individual. He also says he takes no pleasure in our death. Our father wants us to live. He wants it so much, that he sends Jesus to cleanse us and reconnect us with him. A part of John 3:16 that we may miss is the word “Whoever”. It’s not me believing in someone, but each and every one person must believe to have eternal life.

As a parent, I see my children make mistakes and want to take the blame. It’s not on me. I can give them the tools but they have to use them. This applies to every challenging situation we come across. We can love, comfort, and help, but the end decision is up to the person to make. As we close, remember you are not responsible

Prayer

Lord Jesus, your people have heavy hearts. We see our loved ones making choices that may harm them and want to stop them but know we are limited. We ask that you put a hedge of protection around them. All things are possible through you. We pray that you help us know that you do not hold us responsible for the free will of others. Please help us, protect us, and give us the comfort that we need during these hard times. In your name, we pray, Amen.