Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 6000 Sin and salvation » 6100 Aspects of sin » 6163 faults Human weaknesses and failings which are sinful in themselves, and may lead to further sin. It is common, often as a means of averting blame, to put undue focus on the faults of others. However, where necessary, faults should be exposed and responsibility properly attributed. Jesus Christ lived a faultless life and God's people are challenged to live lives that are above reproach. The church will one day be presented without fault before God. The variety of human faults A flawed human nature Romans 7:14-23 See also Galatians 5:17; Ephesians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:18 Human weaknesses and failings Romans 15:1 See also Romans 8:28; Romans 14:1-2 Faults in thought, word and deed Psalm 78:57 disloyalty and unfaithfulness to God; Proverbs 14:21 not showing concern for others; Isaiah 53:6 selfishness in going one's own way; Hosea 7:16 unwillingness to turn to God; James 3:2 failure to control the tongue; James 4:17 failure to do what is right Finding fault with others Passing blame to others Genesis 3:12 Adam blames Eve for his disobedience. See also Exodus 32:22-24 Aaron blames the Israelites for the golden calf; 1 Samuel 13:11-12 Saul blames his troops' impatience and Samuel's late arrival for his disobedience; 1 Samuel 15:20-21 Saul blames his soldiers for the failure to carry out God's instructions; Matthew 25:24-25 The man who buried his talent blames his action on his master's hardness. Criticising and judging others Matthew 7:1-5 See also James 4:11-12; James 5:9; Jude 16 Finding fault with God's appointed leaders Exodus 17:3 See also Exodus 15:24; Numbers 14:2; Joshua 9:18; Acts 11:2-3; 2 Corinthians 10:1 Finding fault with God's people Matthew 5:11 pp Luke 6:22 See also Exodus 5:16-17; Psalm 41:6; Psalm 71:10; Daniel 6:24 Finding fault with God Psalm 78:19 See also Exodus 16:7; Numbers 14:27; Numbers 21:5; Ezekiel 35:13 Finding fault with Jesus Christ Luke 6:7 pp Matthew 12:10 pp Mark 3:4 See also Matthew 9:3 pp Mark 2:7 pp Luke 5:21 Jesus Christ is accused of blasphemy because he claims to forgive sin; Matthew 9:11 pp Mark 2:16 pp Luke 5:30 Jesus Christ is criticised for his association with “sinners”; Matthew 15:2 pp Mark 7:5 Jesus Christ is criticised for failure to conform to ceremonial cleansing traditions; Matthew 26:59-61 pp Mark 14:55-59 false charges brought against Jesus Christ at his trial; John 9:16 Jesus Christ is accused of breaking the Sabbath. Confronting human faults Accepting blame for one's own faults Psalm 51:3-4 See also Jonah 1:12; Luke 15:18 God holds his people at fault Jeremiah 17:4 See also Hebrews 8:8-9; Jeremiah 31:31-32 Faults cannot be hidden from God Psalm 19:12; Psalm 44:21; Psalm 90:8; Ecclesiastes 12:14; 1 Corinthians 14:25 Confronting others with their faults Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1 See also Luke 17:3; James 5:19-20 Examples of those confronted with their faults 2 Samuel 12:7 David; 1 Kings 14:7-9 Jeroboam; 2 Chronicles 16:9 Asa; Daniel 5:23 Belshazzar; Matthew 14:3 pp Mark 6:18 Herod; Acts 5:3 Ananias and Sapphira; Galatians 2:11-12 Peter God can deal with human faults Freedom from the power of sin Romans 6:11-12; Romans 8:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16 Strength for service 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13 Forgiveness Psalm 65:3; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13; 1 John 1:9 Faultlessness Faultlessness shown by Jesus Christ 1 Peter 2:22 See also Isaiah 53:9; John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 3:5 God's people are to be above reproach 1 Peter 2:12 See also Romans 12:17-18; 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 Paul ensures that his handling of money is above criticism; Philippians 2:14-15 Leaders, in particular, must be above reproach: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6 2 Peter 3:14 The church will be presented faultless before God Jude 24-25 See also Ephesians 5:27; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Thessalonians 5:23 See also
1030 God, compassion |
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