Deflection as Defection

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Genesis 3:1-21 Deflection and Defection Sermon Notes for February 8, 2004 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri Mission for Today: Getting ready to give the best Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc., gift possible. 1. Deflection is deflecting our responsibility for our sins, mistakes or failures away from us. Examples: Aaron, Saul, Esau, Adam and Eve, Bathsheba “I didn’t do what I said would do because…” “I did my best” “I thought you knew” 2. Deflection is an abdication of responsibility and associated with blame-shifting. God goes to Adam, the federal head, first. 3, Deflection is the most natural thing in the world to do! It is the nature of the old, fallen, man. 4. Deflection is normally clothed in some degree of truth. 5. Deflection may, as a result, involve significant self-deception. Prov 21:2; 12:15 ; 16:2; 30:12-14 6. Deflection is self-propagating, it has children. (Fortunately) 7. Deflection often leads to scape-goating. 8. Deflection results in dysfunctionality in community. 9. Deflection is defection. 10. Deflection is linked to fear, alienation and suffering. 11. Deflection is judged by God. Pr. 19:1-9 12. Deflection has been forgiven and is to be replaced by responsibility and truth-telling. - Pr. 28:13; Psalm 32; James 5:16; Gal. 6:4,5