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April 15

“Get ‘Em, God!”

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  ––Luke 18:10-14

I can remember the day clearly: The famous pastor had been caught in an adulterous affair. I was indignant, thinking of all the different ways the man should be punished. This was more than just, “Wow, that’s terrible, and I feel bad for his wife, his kids, and his congregation.” This was animosity at the heart level. I caught myself in a “Get ‘em God!” moment, and I did not like what I saw.

When was the last time you felt good about someone else’s sin or failure? For example: Person A messes up at work. You don’t really like Person A, so when they make a mistake, you secretly feel good. Hard to admit it to yourself, right? Yeah, me too. 

At the heart of every God’s man is a potential Pharisee just waiting to point the finger, throw a stone’s-worth of harsh words, and walk away feeling good that “at least it’s not me.” A long-time pastor friend calls it “permissive sin” when we see someone do something wrong and we jump all over them. It’s as if their error/sin gives us the right to pile on (and commit our own internal sins of hate and harsh judgment)!

Man of God, I am not talking about confronting a person in love (which is necessary at times in life). I am talking about harboring joy or satisfaction in your heart when others sin or suffer. Big difference, and it comes down to the condition of your heart. When we confront someone in sin, we follow the biblical rulebook outlined in Matthew 18:15-20:

The Pharisees did just the opposite of the above: they accused Jesus of dishonoring the Sabbath, of being a fraud or “of the devil,” and litigated his fate behind His back, with malice, fear, and execution in their hearts. We hold on to the Jesus model when confronted with someone else’s sin: Be honest, confront in love, show compassion, and rejoice when they turn it over to God.

Lord, You know that sometimes my heart feels satisfaction when others mess up. Heal my heart and help me have compassion rather than hate, and turn my dark thoughts into Christ-centered action.