649) Because I find words fascinating, it is not unusual that I look up the origins for some of our everyday words. The concept of blame, or better put, deflection is an interesting word. it has a Latin origin that means, to bend away from yourself. The idea is that in deflecting, a person takes a (moral) responsibility and bends it away from him/her. In Genesis 3:1-13, both Adam (the woman You gave me…) and Eve, (the serpent You created….) try to deflect responsibility for their disobedience and they didn’t fool or manipulate God. Playing the victim in similar circumstances does not vindicate our actions; instead, it adds on more blame. Adam and Eve had no valid excuse. They knew what they were not supposed to do and did it anyway. Trying to deflect the blame did not make their actions justifiable. What it did do was place more distance between them and God. Taking the responsibility for things we do wrong actually brings God and others closer because this is the first step needed for restoring the relationships we have. It brings us together, not separates. The art of deflection is a trap that destroys.