“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matt. 7:3-5 ESV)
Blame: To find fault with; an expression of disapproval or reproach—censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dis, dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend.
Blaming Others Is Nothing New
When caught in sin, Adam blamed both God and Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent:
“The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” (Gen. 3:12–13 ESV)
Blaming shifts the focus
Casting blame on others does not solve the root problem. It simply shifts the focus away from ourselves and onto someone else—essentially sweeping the issue under the rug. But if it isn’t personally addressed, the problem still remains.
An old saying reminds us: When you point one finger at someone else, three fingers are pointing back at you.
Take responsibility
To receive mercy, the Bible instructs us to acknowledge our sins, take responsibility for them, confess them, and forsake them. Blaming others short-circuits that process.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)
“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” (Rom. 2:1 ESV)
Therefore
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31–32 ESV)
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2 ESV)
Quote
“Hell begins with a grumbling mood, always complaining, always blaming others.” – C. S. Lewis