1 Samuel 6:1-12

If you look up the term Philistine in the dictionary you should find two definitions:
1. A member of an Aegean people who settled ancient Philistia around the 12th Century B.C.
2. Someone smug, lacking cultural values, lacking knowledge in a specific area

That second definition is based on the attitude and actions of Philistine people we know
1. Remember Goliath (tape and action figure). He was very smug
2. Remember the story of Sampson and Delilah. They lacked values.
3. And here we see a specific area of knowledge they lacked. Couldn’t accept blame

THEY DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SIN

It wasn’t for lack of effort though. They tried several strategies and by observing their efforts wee can learn what NOT to do when the blame is on us

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN THE BLAME IS ON YOU

1. Don’t Spread it around
a. This is our natural tendancy (Genesis 3:12-13)
b. Ashdod to Gath to Ekron to field (6:1)
c. And we do this all the time, blaming people or circumstances
d. Truman was known for a sign on his desk, ‘the buck stops here’ designating that he was responsible for the decisions he made. He decided he took responsibility.
e. We must not pass the buck in our own lives

2. Don’t JUST Compensate for it
a. People tend to overcompensate in the area they failed in (6:2-6)
b. This is actually a good thing, but not if it’s the only thing. (disagree with Dr. Laura)
c. We must not refuse to face the music
d. Compensation w/o repentance is just a bunch of golden rats and tumors

3. Don’t Doubt You’ve Been Found Out
a. It doesn’t matter if they can prove it
b. It doesn’t matter if you won’t admit it
c. It matters that you did it
d. The Philistines still doubted their actions were to blame (6:7-18)
e. Your sins WILL find you out. God already knows.

SO
1. Don’t spread the blame-take full responsibility for your actions. We admire this in others. Do it yourself.
2. Don’t just compensate. Your extra efforts are filthy w/o genuine repentance. They are golden rats and tumors.
3. Don’t doubt you’ve been found out. You’ve already been found out by God. Deal with it.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT/WHAT TO DO WHEN THE BLAME IS ON YOU

There is only 1 answer: REPENT

There is only one good thing to do with sin. Repent of it. Ask forgiveness and change direction. It’s the hardest option now, but it has the only bearable long term results.

In fact, when you stop passing the buck, when you face the music, when we admit our sin, we find a wonderful surprise….Then and only then….Jesus takes the blame for us. He bears the responsibility before the Father. All these other methods are attempts to deflect blame…amazingly, the only way to get rid of blame is to accept it because only then will Jesus take it from you.