Faultfinding

By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction: I believe the saying is true that people can find fault in most anything. However, is it appropriate for us to look for fault in others? Some people seem to make an occupation out of faultfinding. Many relationships are ruined by those who look for faults in others. We will examine faultfinding in this lesson.

I. Faultfinding defined:

A. The practice of intentionally looking for another’s short comings. A faultfinder is one who finds fault where no sin exists.

1. We all acknowledge that we are not perfect (Rom. 3:23). We also know we are responsible for our sins (Rom. 8:13).

2. Faults are not sins. Even the Old law had faults (Heb. 8:7-8).

3. However, to the faultfinder, if the fault is not a sin it should be a sin or at least it is in his/her own mind.

B. The Bible warns us against faultfinding.

1. Don’t judge according to appearance (John 7:24). There is a right way to judge and a wrong way to judge a matter. Righteous judgment would be by using the Bible as the standard.

2. Again, what one person considers a fault does not mean it is sin (Mark 7:2-3).

3. People will judge us to have faults where there is no sin. The Lord encourages us to take it patiently (1 Pet. 2:19-20). The Lord finds this commendable.

C. Hypocrites find fault in others when they are guilty of the same.

1. Rom. 2:1-6, God will judge the hypocritical faultfinders.

2. The Scribes and Pharisees demonstrated their hypocrisy in John 8: 3-11.

3. Judas found fault with Mary in John 12:3-6. Judas accused Mary of wastefulness when he himself had been stealing from the bag.

4. Matt. 7:1-5, warns us of the pitfall of faultfinding. Notice, that if we judge someone to have a fault that is not a sin, it becomes a sin to the faultfinder since he/she uses it as a measure against another. It will be measured back to the faultfinder as his/her own standard.

II. Faultfinders can’t be pleased.

A. Martha found fault with Mary (Luke 10:40). Yet, Mary did nothing wrong (vs. 41-42).

B. Illustration: A Man, A Boy and A Donkey.

"A man, a boy and a donkey were walking down a dusty road on a sultry summer day. Someone passing by found fault. The remark was overheard, "Look at those foolish folks walking when they could be riding." The man and boy decided to ride the donkey. They had gone only a short distance when another faultfinder exclaimed, "Look at the poor donkey carrying two people! They are heartless. What a load!" The son climbed down and walked along side the father and the donkey. Another faultfinder met them and said, "How can a man be so inconsiderate as to make a boy walk while he rides comfortably?" Whereupon the father and the boy exchanged places. Then someone else saw them and criticized their plan. "Look at that young man riding while the poor old man has to walk in the heat of the day." The old man climbed down off the donkey. Determined to avoid criticism, they tied the feet of the donkey to a pole and proceeded to carry the animal. Then all the passersby found fault. "Look at those crazy people carrying that donkey."

III. Beware of those who find faults in others where no sin exists.

A. Those who find faults with their brother beware (James 4:11-12).

B. Rom. 14: 1-13, tells us not to argue or find faults over doubtful things.

C. Love is the cure to faultfinding (1 Pet. 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:4-8a).

Conclusion: In Titus 3:1-8, Paul encourages us not to speak evil of anyone for two reasons. 1) We use to be the same kind of person. In other words, we could betray ourselves as hypocrites. 2) We receive mercy and grace from a loving and kind Savior through the hope given to us when we were baptized. For those reasons, we should strive to do good toward all men. Let us not strive to faultfinding.

Have you been baptized so you can have the same hope of salvation?

Last modified: 05/02/08