Text: Genesis 3:9-13
Memory verse:
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬
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Mr. Babaloni had an emergency in his office that made him return home late. His wife, who had made some unsuccessful attempts to reach him asked, “Sweetheart, why didn’t you put a call to us instead of putting us in this anxiety?”. He responded, “But you should have known that I was busy”. This is just how people deflect ownership of their behaviors to play the blame game. To take responsibility in a relationship is to acknowledge and own up to every action and word you do and say. Taking responsibility, rather than making excuses, creates trust and dependability with your spouse and family members.
In an unhealthy family relationship, people blame something or somebody to get out of trouble. Adam blamed God who gave him the woman, who gave him the fruit. Adam was saying “God, you should be held responsible for giving me this woman!” ‭‭(Gen‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬. Pp). How many times have we blamed parents, spouses and friends for our failure instead of accepting our own wrongs.
The woman blamed the serpent, “..the serpent deceived me and I ate” (Gen 3:13). It is the same today, as we blame the devil for all our troubles rather than our lack of self-control, poor decisions, carelessness etc. Both Adam and Eve put out excuse, engaging in blame shifting instead of owning up. Irresponsibility! Adam failed as the leader of his family and the caretaker of the garden under whose watch the sin was committed. Both of them disobeyed God.
To build a healthy family, the spouses and family members must accept responsibility for their wrongs, confess and ask for forgiveness. Remember that the first to apologize is the bravest; the first to forgive is the strongest; and the first to forget is the happiest.

Prayer points
1. Father, give us humble hearts to own up to our wrongs and to ask for forgiveness in Jesus name.
2. Father, wean us from excuse making habit and make us healthy, forgiving and happy family in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1. I am a responsible family member because I own up when I am wrong and ask for forgiveness.
2. I enter into a healthy competition to always be the first to apologize, the first to forgive and the first to forget.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng