2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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SCHADENFREUDE?
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Isaiah 15:5; 16:9-11
“Sufficient to such a man
is this punishment, …”
SCHADENFREUDE?
The term “schadenfreude” is often used to describe the pleasure or joy derived from another person’s suffering or pain. This pleasure is often tinged with malice and gloating.
It is most easy to revel in schadenfreude when something bad happens to those who oppose us. The Apostle Paul could have reacted this way when the man who opposed him was finally punished for his sins. Yet, this was not the heart of the Apostle Paul. He called for the Corinthian Christians to forgive the man, just as how we are also readily forgiven by God. “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ” (2 Cor 2:10).
The Apostle Paul was simply reflecting the heart of God. As a holy and just God, He loves righteousness and judgment (Ps 33:5; 37:28). Yet, there is no rejoicing in the destruction of the wicked. “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?” (Ezek 18:23). He is not like a Nero or Hitler, who will gloat at the destruction of man.
Similarly, Christians must not gloat over the destruction of their enemies. When the Lord delivers us from the attacks of our enemies, we can rightly find joy in the Lord’s vindication. Nevertheless, this must always be accompanied by deep sorrow for those who are judged. O how we should rather desire to see the salvation rather than the destruction of men!
On an ecclesiastical level, it should fill our hearts with great sorrow when we see churches falling away in the end times. There must be no gloating but a deep remorse for the spiritual malaise in Christendom. When we warn of error, it is in the hope that more will turn from waywardness and embrace the truth. May more see the light, O Lord!
THOUGHT: Christians should not revel in schadenfreude.
PRAYER: Give me a heart of compassion, Father.