Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6115 blame

The state of having been accused, correctly or incorrectly, of doing something wrong. Guilt is felt as a result of having been justly blamed for a crime or wrong against a person. Scripture portrays blaming others as a natural human reaction to events. Blame may often be apportioned by people on the basis of a misunderstanding, whereas God's blame of people is just. Christians should seek to lead blameless lives.

Blaming others: a basic human characteristic since the fall

Genesis 3:12-13

Moses:

Numbers 20:5; Numbers 21:5; Joshua 22:15-18; 1 Samuel 22:13-15; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Kings 18:17-18; Nehemiah 5:4-5; Job 4:5-7; Job 8:6; Job 11:14-15; Jeremiah 38:4; John 9:1-2; John 11:21; Acts 6:1

Blaming God

Jeremiah 15:16-18 See also Job 2:9; Job 3:23; Psalm 13:1-2; Psalm 22:1-2; Psalm 44:9-26; Psalm 60:1-3; Psalm 74:1-23; Psalm 79:1-5; Isaiah 40:27

God justly blames his people for their sins

Hebrews 8:8 See also Romans 9:19

Warnings about falsely attributing blame

Proverbs 3:30 See also Psalm 71:13; Psalm 109:18-20,29; Romans 14:1-4; Romans 15:7

Dealing with blame

By confession

Psalm 32:5 See also Psalm 51:3-7

By forgiveness

Luke 23:34 See also Genesis 50:19-21; Ephesians 4:31-32

By correcting misunderstandings

Joshua 22:13-34

God's people should deal gently with those who deserve blame

Matthew 18:15 See also James 5:19-20

God's people should aim to live free from blame

Philippians 1:9-10 See also Genesis 17:1; Psalm 19:13; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Thessalonians 5:23

See also

1075  God, justice of
5193  tongue
5201  accusation
5202  accusation, false
5276  crime
5926  rebuke
6163  faults
6172  guilt
8201  blamelessness
8277  innocence
8428  example