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 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
And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”
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
Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.
God justly blames his people for their sins
Hebrews 8:8 See also Romans 9:19
But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
Warnings about falsely attributing blame
Proverbs 3:30 See also Psalm 71:13, Psalm 109:18–20, Psalm 109:29; Romans 14:1–4, Romans 15:7
Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
Dealing with blame
By confession
Psalm 32:5 See also Psalm 51:3–7
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
By forgiveness
Luke 23:34 See also Genesis 50:19–21; Ephesians 4:31–32
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
By correcting misunderstandings
God's people should deal gently with those who deserve blame
Matthew 18:15 See also James 5:19–20
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
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, 1 Thessalonians 5:23
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.