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
5820 criticism
5851 excuse
5897 judging others
6020 sin
6115 blame
6200 imperfection, influence
6652 forgiveness
6671 grace & Christian life
8266 holiness
8357 weakness
8741 failure