Scapegoating 101
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
If one should wish to really understand the meaning of this term, just have a slow, considered read at this link, then come back here for a short piece on the issue:
The last two definitions so very fit how people who are angry, hurting, truly been abused, deranged or simply moving though their time on earth in "life sucks!" mode often grasp for someone or a group of them they believe worth blaming for their own fears, inadequacies and even actual torments experienced.
It's like "SOMEBODY MUST BE BLAMED FOR fill-in-the-blank". Ever seen this in history, in your school, workplace, in your neighborhood, maybe in your own family or your own head and life?
The issue is then moving from hardcore defense to a no-quarter offense mentality.
I mean, if not the devil and demons how about real human beings you just don't like, trust or wish to eradicate -because someone has to take the blame for what's inside of you and it ain't gonna be you!
If you truly serve in Christian ministry for any length of time you'll recognize all I've said so far. So is there an antidote for scapegoating people, for applying "we do not fight against flesh and blood" even as they (as scripture also says) "oppose themselves" not realizing they drink the very poison they seek to flush others with?
I believe there are several -but some or none may fully fix what ails you and what passes on misery to others through you or from others -to- you..
As I've often stated, people in recovery are rightly taught that part of genuine and sustained freedom from addiction is "eyes off of others" and dealing with one's own inner issues -which are enough to keep us quite busy!!
Further, there is the concept that until one is truly ready and willing to change, to surrender to one's own need to repent, re-think, move away from our own sickness and toward God we are stuck and will remain so. I've found all this to be absolutely true.
There comes a point where our mental, emotional and time-focused work -hard as it is... becomes caring about what HE cares about, so if they'll allow it, seeking to help others and not merely spin round and round in our own mess.
In my own life, studying God's Word (Bible) daily with an attitude of "Glenn, it's YOU that must change" and seeking God's help in prayer as well as reaching out when allowed, to help others. It's about a sponsor, close-accountability partner/s in voluntary relationship.
Even in terms of serving/ministry to others, it ultimately has to do with invitation, not playing the "drive by" game of "TAG, YOU'RE IT SINNER" -and yes, I preach people must repent (think of it, I just did in this very post) but my own repentance is the issue in my life (same for you in yours).
So study and application of God's Word daily to -me-, continual prayer, seeking out and maintaining helping friends who can walk with you through life's temptations, trials, wandering times and even slips where we jump the fences God puts up to keep us close to Him and farther from temptations and the desire to shift our focus on other's sins and often- in the classic role of blame-shifting... "At least I'm not that THAT person over there!!" which is very much scapegoating others, seeking out and rationalizing the REAL problem is the splinter in their eye when in fact it's the log in our own (to quote Jesus). We best learn to deal with our own rubbish with humility, repentance and faith in the Redeemer and His power to deliver US from US.
Of course we can just keep trash-talking, placing guilt on others to try and feel some sense of justification about our own rage, even hatred of those for whom Jesus also died.
If any of this hits home, you know what to do. Believe me, I get the work involved re. addiction and recovery -and it's a rare individual who doesn't need recovery from scapegoating.
Things to consider? I think very much so as I write in 2026 with bombs, attacks on schools, hate extended between this group and that group of people world-wide and plenty right here in the U.S..
As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn
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