This week, we continue to look at the character trait of Responsibility or Accountability. This trait is one of two paths and it distinguishes itself from others by being linked to character and integrity and being true to our word and obligations. Responsibility is really two words in one, “response” and “ability.” We have the ability to choose our response – to exercise our own free will.

The blame game and lack of accountability started in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and their free will to choose to be responsible to God’s one command to them. Adam tried to avoid responsibility by blaming Eve and Eve the blamed the serpent. Adam chose to hide, rather than to own up to what he had done. Look at how he handled it in Genesis 3:8-9 “….and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God……Then, the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” Adam made excuses, rather being accountable and admitting the truth.

Why did God ask Adam where he was? Didn’t God know where Adam was? Of course, He knew. He asked him the question in order to make Adam admit where he was and what he had done – to be responsible for his actions. God addressed Adam, not Eve. God holds a man responsible for how he leads his own life and his family. Adam could not hide from God and neither can we. To confess our sin is to be responsible. It is a powerful example of strong spiritual leadership to those whom a man is responsible for leading. A man is held responsible for the one life and family God has given him to lead.