Cultural "Blame-Shifters"

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

In today’s culture, people want to blame someone for just about everything, and along with that comes an endless stream of accusations, exaggerations, and disinformation. Many people seem to be swayed by colorful advertising, and others base their opinions on popularity polls or talk show chatter or high profile people from Hollywood. If you’re feeling frustrated, it may be helpful to look at the example of Elijah. He challenged the apathetic attitude of the people of Israel, and he courageously spoke up for the truth

In 1^st Kings 16 we read that King Ahab was more wicked than any king who came before him. Under the evil influence of Ahab and his idolatrous queen Jezebel, many of the people of Israel had chosen to adopt a sinful, pagan lifestyle. Others were on the fence, waffling as to what they believed and how they should live. This displeased God, and the prophet Elijah announced that the Lord would withhold rain from the land for three years as a punishment.

Elijah was blamed for the nation’s problems during the drought. In fact, Ahab’s first words to him after his three-year absence were: “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” The truth of the matter was that Ahab and the people of Israel had caused the famine. They had turned from the Lord to idolatry and immorality. They were the problem, but Ahab had shifted the blame to Elijah.

Courageous believers who stand up for godly values are often called “mean-spirited,” “intolerant,” “trouble-makers,” and they may even be accused of limiting “social progress” and “freedom.” You can surely think of many examples. Even though our society will wrongly blame Christians for a variety of problems, we must still choose to stand firmly on the standards of God’s Word.

Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate those who do not belong to it (John 15:18-19). In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord taught that those who endure persecution from the world would be blessed and rewarded (Matthew 5:11-12). It’s great to know that there is a reward for making the courageous choice to hang in there, but you can be sure that the world will continue to blame believers for many of our culture’s problems.

When we take a biblical (but perhaps culturally unpopular) stance, we will encounter opposition. This doesn’t mean we should back down or compromise on what we know is right and true. In fact, just the opposite! But all too often we allow unbelievers and “blame-shifters” to get away without being challenged with the truth. Elijah is a good model for us.

Elijah didn’t let Ahab get away with shifting the blame for the drought. When King Ahab asked, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” Elijah told him with the truth: “I have not made trouble for Israel, but you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and followed the Baals.”