Do not say: “It was God’s doing that I fell away,” for what he hates he does not do. 12 Do not say: “He himself has led me astray,” for he has no need of the wicked. 13 Abominable wickedness the Lord hates and he does not let it happen to those who fear him. 14 God in the beginning created human beings and made them subject to their own free choice. 15 If you choose, you can keep the commandments; loyalty is doing the will of God. 16 Set before you are fire and water; to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand. 17 Before everyone are life and death, whichever they choose will be given them. 18 Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; mighty in power, he sees all things. 19 The eyes of God behold his works, and he understands every human deed. 20 He never commands anyone to sin, nor shows leniency toward deceivers.'
Can one say that the sinner sins because God did not grant him wisdom? No, God cannot be held responsible for sin or temptation. No one can say, “It was God’s doing” that I sinned. No, the blame for sin cannot be placed on God because He hates sin and does not do what He hates (Jas. 1:13-15). One can also not say that because God hates sin, he is powerless against sin. God has given those who fear Him help to avoid sin. Nor can one say that God created man with a flawed nature and so is responsible for his sins (Gen. 1:27,31).
Through the Commandments, God gave man the power to choose the moral good and do His will. God also encouraged man to observe the moral law by rewarding the good (water) and punishing evil (fire) (Deut. 30:15-20). Man has the freedom to choose life by obeying the law or death by refusing to obey. God through his immense wisdom and power can see all of creation and man’s deeds (Prov. 15:3). God commands no one to sin and will punish those who do not adhere to moral law.
Almighty God, help us to love you above all things and strengthen us so that we may avoid the temptations that will befall us. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died so that our sins could be forgiven and our paths to life could be clear. We ask for your mercy and forgiveness through the same Christ my Lord. Amen.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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