Bible view about pointing fingers at others

In the Bible, "pointing fingers" at others, especially in judgment or accusation, is generally discouraged and sometimes condemned. While there's no specific prohibition against all finger gestures, the focus is on avoiding condemnation, gossip, and malicious speech towards others. Instead, the Bible emphasizes humility, forgiveness, and addressing concerns privately with a loving attitude. 

Elaboration:

Discouraged Judgment:

The Bible, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-5), teaches against judging others, as it highlights the importance of self-reflection and recognizing one's own flaws before criticizing others. The saying "Judge not, that you be not judged" encapsulates this idea. 

Consequences of Finger-Pointing:

The Bible, in Isaiah 58:9, associates the "pointing of the finger" with wicked speech and oppression. It suggests that such behavior can hinder prayer and prevent blessings. 

Focus on Love and Reconciliation:

Instead of pointing fingers, the Bible encourages believers to address concerns privately with a brother or sister (Matthew 18:15-18). This approach emphasizes reconciliation and restoration rather than condemnation. 

Humility and Forgiveness:

The emphasis is on humility, recognizing that everyone is prone to error and sin. Forgiveness and extending grace to others are central to Christian teachings.

Avoiding Hypocrisy:

Jesus criticized those who point out the "speck" in their brother's eye while ignoring the "log" in their own (Matthew 7:3-5). This highlights the importance of self-awareness and avoiding hypocrisy in our interactions with others. 

Alternative Actions:

The Bible suggests focusing on actions that build up and encourage others, such as sharing meals, offering support, and demonstrating love. It also emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and accountability before God (Romans 14:12).

An example of Faith

 As an example of someone who prayed “the prayer of faith,” James referred to Elijah. By his prayer, Elijah withheld all rain for three and a half years, and then caused rain to fall again. (See James 5:17–18.) 

Scripture indicates that the giving and withholding of rain is a divine prerogative, exercised by God Himself. (See, for example, Deuteronomy 11:13–17 and Jeremiah 5:24; 14:22.) Yet, for three and a half years, Elijah exercised this prerogative on God’s behalf. 

James emphasized that Elijah was “a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17)—a human being just like the rest of us. But as long as he was enabled to pray with God’s faith, the words he uttered were as effective as God’s own decrees.

However, faith of this kind does not need to operate through a spoken word only. It was by this same kind of supernatural faith that Jesus was able to walk on the stormy Sea of Galilee. (See Matthew 14:25–33.) 

In this case, He did not need to speak; He merely walked out onto the water. Peter began to follow the example of Jesus and to exercise the same kind of faith. This enabled him to do precisely the same thing that Jesus was doing.

But when he looked away from Jesus to the waves, his faith deserted him, and he began to sink! 

The comment that Jesus made is very illuminating: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Jesus did not reprove Peter for wanting to walk on the water. He reproved him for losing faith in the middle of doing so.