Sins We Blame On Others

Here is a helpful post on Desiring God’s Blog dealing with common sins we like to blame others for rather than confessing them and turning from them. 

1) Anger:I wouldn’t lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience: I would be a very patient person if it weren’t for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn’t have so many things to do, and if the people around me weren’t so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust :  I would have a pure mind if there weren’t so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety :  I wouldn’t worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money, and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy :  My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I would struggle with sin less if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination :  If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit :  It’s not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8 ) Bitterness :  If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony :  My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip :  It’s the people around me who start the conversations. There’s no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can’t avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity :  I’ll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness :  I would be more generous if we had more money.