Victim blaming is a problem that has existed for centuries.
When someone suffers harm, instead of offering compassion, people sometimes ask, “What did they do to deserve it?”
This attitude can make the victim feel guilty for something that was never their fault.
Sadly, victim blaming happens in families, workplaces, churches, and communities.
It is often used to avoid responsibility, ignore injustice, or maintain power.
But what does the Bible say about this issue?
Does God hold victims responsible for their suffering?
Or does He offer them protection, justice, and healing?
Let’s explore Scripture to see how God responds to victim blaming and how He calls us to treat those who have been wronged.
God Stands on the Side of the Oppressed
One of the strongest themes in the Bible is God’s concern for the oppressed.
He repeatedly defends those who have been mistreated, abused, or taken advantage of.
Psalm 9:9 says,
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
God does not blame the victim.
He provides them with shelter and protection.
He sees their suffering and calls His people to do the same.
Isaiah 1:17 gives this command:
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Rather than accusing or blaming victims, God tells us to defend them.
He expects His people to stand up for those who have been wronged and ensure that justice is served.
The Book of Job: A Lesson Against Victim Blaming
One of the most powerful examples of victim blaming in the Bible is found in the book of Job.
Job was a righteous man who suffered great loss—his children died, his health failed, and his possessions were destroyed.
Instead of comforting him, Job’s friends assumed he must have done something wrong.
Job 4:7-8 records one of his friends, Eliphaz, saying:
“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”
Eliphaz believed that if Job was suffering, he must have deserved it.
His words reflected a common but false belief—that bad things only happen to bad people.
This is the core of victim blaming.
It assumes that if someone suffers, they must have done something to cause it.
But Job was innocent.
God Himself defended Job in Job 42:7, saying that Job’s friends were wrong in their accusations.
This shows that victim blaming is not from God.
Instead of assuming people deserve their pain, we should listen, show compassion, and support them in their suffering.
Jesus Stood Up for Victims
Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently defended those who were blamed, rejected, and mistreated by society.
One powerful example is in John 8:3-11, when a woman caught in adultery was brought before Him.
The religious leaders wanted to stone her, but Jesus responded in an unexpected way.
He said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
One by one, her accusers left, and Jesus said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus did not ignore sin, but He also did not allow the woman to be unfairly shamed and punished while her accusers remained free.
Instead of blaming her, He extended mercy and encouraged her to walk in a new life.
Jesus’ actions show us that God does not want us to blame victims but to offer grace, justice, and restoration.
Blaming Victims Protects Wrongdoers
One of the biggest dangers of victim blaming is that it protects those who commit harm.
When people say things like, “She shouldn’t have dressed like that,” or “He should have fought back,” they shift the focus away from the wrongdoer and onto the victim.
This allows injustice to continue.
Proverbs 17:15 warns,
“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both.”
God hates when the innocent are blamed and the guilty go unpunished.
Throughout the Bible, God calls for justice to be done.
Isaiah 10:1-2 declares,
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.”
Blaming victims is the opposite of justice.
It allows evil to grow, and it silences those who need help the most.
God commands His people to speak up for the voiceless, not accuse them.
The Bible Calls for Compassion, Not Judgment
Many people in the Bible suffered unfair treatment, yet God never blamed them for their pain.
David was hunted by King Saul, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, and Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den.
In each case, they were not at fault for their suffering.
But instead of blaming them, God delivered them.
Colossians 3:12 tells believers how to respond to those who are hurting:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
God does not call us to accuse or blame.
He calls us to be compassionate.
When someone suffers, our response should not be, “What did you do to deserve this?”
Instead, it should be, “How can I help you through this?”
Victim Blaming in Today’s World
Victim blaming is still a major issue today.
It happens in cases of abuse, crime, and even poverty.
Some people say, “She stayed in that relationship, so it’s her fault,” or “If he had made better choices, he wouldn’t be poor.”
But these statements ignore the real problems and place unnecessary shame on victims.
Instead of judging, we should ask, “How can we bring justice and healing?”
James 1:27 reminds us that true religion is about helping those in need:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
God wants His people to defend the weak, protect the vulnerable, and seek justice for those who have been wronged.
How Should Christians Respond to Victim Blaming?
As followers of Christ, we are called to stand against injustice.
Here are a few ways we can do this:
Listen to victims. Instead of questioning their actions, listen to their pain with an open heart.
Speak up against injustice. If someone is being blamed unfairly, defend them and point to the real problem.
Show compassion. Offer help, support, and encouragement to those who have suffered harm.
Seek justice. Work to hold wrongdoers accountable rather than shifting blame onto victims.
Micah 6:8 gives us clear instructions on how to live:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This means standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and treating others with the love and grace of Christ.
Final Thoughts
Victim blaming is not in line with God’s character.
The Bible makes it clear that He defends the oppressed, stands against injustice, and calls His people to do the same.
Jesus never blamed victims—He comforted, healed, and restored them.
When we encounter suffering, our response should not be to accuse, but to offer compassion, help, and justice.
God does not want His people to turn a blind eye to the pain of others.
He calls us to be His hands and feet, bringing healing where there is hurt and truth where there are lies.
Instead of blaming victims, let’s stand with them.
Instead of excusing wrongdoing, let’s seek justice.
Because that is what God calls us to do.