Trojan Horse Lie: "I'm a Victim"

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction, Trojan Horse Lie: I'm a Victim.

The Trojan Horse series addresses lies that have infiltrated the church. This is explained more fully in the introduction to the series, Trojan Horse Enemies in the Church.

In our modern culture, it's popular to blame our sins on other people or on difficult circumstances. Our circumstances affect us, but Scripture makes it clear that sin is always a choice. When we sin, we're responsible.

1. God explains our responsibility.

Cain was jealous of Abel and he felt rejected by God. God explained Cain's choices:

Genesis 4:6-7:  Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” 

The choice was Cain's—he could overcome the temptation and turn from sin or he could choose to sin. A similar message is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

God must have previously explained acceptable sacrifices to Cain and Abel; but Cain didn't follow His instructions, and when God rejected his sacrifice, Cain pouted and got angry (Genesis 4:3-5)

It's popular to claim that people sin because someone has damaged their self-esteem. If our modern culture applied their beliefs to the story of Cain, they'd probably defend or excuse Cain, claiming God had damaged his self-esteem when he rejected Cain's offering. 

But Scripture tells us this:

"Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:14-15

Not only does Scripture refute the "self-esteem excuse," but many human authorities also refute it: 

"State University Prof. Roy Baumeister (Ph.D. Psychology, Princeton University) has revealed that in a lifetime of study of violent criminals, the one characteristic nearly all these criminals share is high self-esteem." (from Criminals Have High Self Esteem)

2. The importance of acknowledging our sins

1 John 1:8-10: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us." 

If you'd like to read about a Bible character who blamed his sin on others, read about King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. And read these 1-Minute Bible Love Notes for more insights: Self-Defense and Anatomy of an Insincere Repentance. 

Copyright 2013, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2022

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