How should Christians respond to those who rejoice over others' misfortunes? The sin of gloating: lessons from Ezekiel 25:3 “Tell the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Lord GOD: This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you said, ‘Aha!’ over My sanctuary when it was profaned, over the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and over the house of Judah when they went into exile…’” (Ezekiel 25:3) God’s charge against Ammon was simple: they celebrated Israel’s humiliation. The Lord judged their laughter as wicked because it mocked His people and, by extension, Him. Why God condemns rejoicing over another’s pain • It denies the image of God in every person (Genesis 1:27). • It reveals a proud, unloving heart (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 13:4-6). • It usurps God’s role as Judge, taking pleasure where He grieves (Ezekiel 18:32). • It invites the very judgment we wish on others (Matthew 7:2). A chorus of confirming Scriptures • Proverbs 24:17-18 — “Do not gloat when your enemy falls… the LORD will see and disapprove.” • Obadiah 1:12 — “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune.” • Job 31:29 — “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s ruin… let God judge me.” • Romans 12:15 — “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” • Luke 6:27-28 — “Love your enemies, do good… pray for those who mistreat you.” Christlike responses to mockers of misfortune • Examine your own heart first; confess any secret delight in another’s hardship. • Refuse to join the gloating; instead, speak words of empathy and truth. • Gently correct the mocker when appropriate (Galatians 6:1). • Pray for both the suffering and the scoffer, asking God to soften hearts. • If possible, offer tangible help to the hurting (James 2:15-16). • Keep perspective: God alone repays wrongs (Romans 12:19). Consequences when gloating goes unchecked • Hardened hearts become incapable of compassion (Ephesians 4:18-19). • Communities fracture; bitterness spreads (Hebrews 12:15). • Divine discipline arrives, as it did for Ammon (Ezekiel 25:4-7). Living the lesson today • Cultivate empathy daily—listen, lament, enter others’ pain. • Celebrate repentance and restoration, never catastrophe. • Let every misfortune you witness be a call to humility, mercy, and active love (Micah 6:8). |
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