“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” - Romans 12:15
Let’s be honest for a moment. Have you ever found yourself secretly glad when that church down the road had a scandal? Or when that preacher you always thought was too flashy, too proud, or too popular, got knocked off his platform? Maybe it was a fellow believer who got humbled after being, shall we say, a little too loud about their blessings on Instagram. And somehow, deep down, it made you feel a little better about your own spiritual standing. That feeling has a name. It’s called Schadenfreude, a German word that means “harm-joy,” or the experience of pleasure in someone else’s downfall. It shows up early in human development (as early as age two!), and unfortunately, it sticks around, especially in our churches.
Now, before you shift uncomfortably in your pew or click away from conviction, let me say this: Schadenfreude might be normal, but it isn’t holy. It may be common, but it’s not Christian. And if we don’t confront it, it can rot the soul of a congregation like termites in the church beams, unseen until the collapse.
When “Our Church” is Better Than Yours
This first form is called Aggression-Based Schadenfreude. It is the result of hanging everything on group identity. In other words: “We’re the good church, the faithful church, the theologically sound church, the relevant church and they’re not.” So when they go through hardship, declining attendance, moral failure, budget collapse, or theological controversy, we secretly smile. “See? God’s not blessing them anymore.” This is tribalism, not Christianity. It’s the spirit of Edom in the book of Obadiah, who stood aloof and laughed when Judah fell. It’s the Pharisee in Luke 18 who prays, “God, I thank you that I am not like this tax collector.”
It’s also the early seed of racism, denominational pride, or spiritual bigotry, when our “in-group” defines righteousness by comparison, not by Christ. This form of Schadenfreude loves it when those people get humbled, because it reinforces our illusion of superiority. Like in theological disputes, when a believers rejoice not in truth, but in the humiliation of their opponents. The “gotcha” moment becomes more important than the Gospel because it wins you points with your group. We must repent of such theological warfare that celebrates wounding the other side. Speak truth but do it with tears, not with triumphs.
Brothers and sisters, if your gospel only works for your group, it’s not the gospel. The gospel tears down dividing walls (Eph 2:14), not erects them.
When I Just Want to Win
The second form is called Rivalry-Based Schadenfreude. This is Schadenfreude on a personal level, not church vs. church, but Christian vs. Christian. This is when someone in your Bible study, ministry team, or social circle seems to be “winning” at life, more spiritual success, better reputation, better stage presence, and you feel small in comparison. So when they experience public embarrassment, moral slip-up, or theological correction, you feel a disturbing sense of satisfaction. “Well, I guess they weren’t as holy as they looked.”
This, friend, is the Corinthian disease. Paul rebukes it in 1 Corinthians 1 when some were saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and the really spiritual ones said, “I follow Christ” which is the spiritual equivalent of saying “I don’t watch any YouTubers except Jesus”, yet somehow still posting that on YouTube.
Schadenfreude here is driven by insecurity masked as discernment. We’re not rejoicing in truth, we’re rejoicing that we’re not the ones who slipped. But let’s remember: “If not for the grace of God, there go I. Rivalry-based Schadenfreude is nothing more than sanctified envy wearing a choir robe.
More than most, those in ministry are in danger of this one. For example if a ministry leader’s friend has a new book getting attention. Instead of rejoicing, they smile and give public platitude while secretly hoping it fails. This is not Christ-like leadership, it's listening to Cain whispering from the pew. Pastors, elders, and lay leaders: Check your conscience. We should seek to celebrate others’ victories as if they were your own, because in the body of Christ, they are. Never forget what love looks like, “Love... does not envy... it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Cor 13:4,6)
When the Wicked Fall
Now here’s the tricky one. Justice-Based Schadenfreude is the last of the three. This type of Schadenfreude is rooted in a sense of moral order. We see someone blatantly sinning, hurting others, abusing power, or walking in open rebellion, and finally they’re held accountable. There's a part of us that breathes a sigh of relief, and maybe even says, “Good. About time.” In this case, we’re not rooting against someone because they’re different or better. We’re relieved that justice is being done.
This form of Schadenfreude is the least morally problematic, but still dangerous if we’re not careful. It’s one thing to long for justice; it’s another to relish someone else’s judgment. Ask Jonah, he was fine with Nineveh’s destruction, but angry when God showed mercy. Christian, if you love the fall more than the restoration, you’re out of step with the heart of God. The wisdom of Proverbs 24:17 stands out at this point, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”
The truth is, there are many issues on which we shouldn’t even have an opinion. The internet has made the world feel small, and social media has amplified our voices, often beyond what wisdom would permit. It creates the illusion that we’re closer to events than we actually are. As a result, we may feel obligated to weigh in, even when we’re so far removed from the facts that making a prudent moral judgment, beyond the obvious, is nearly impossible. So what about when seeing God’s justice gives us a sense of satisfaction? One thing we can do is let that sense of justice move us to intercession, not mockery. Pray for justice but also pray for mercy.
So What Do We Do?
We live in a time where Christian failure has become Christian entertainment. Bloggers feast on the downfalls of the “celebrity pastor industrial complex.” Regrettably, something, I am guilty of as well. Don’t misunderstand me. Accountability is necessary. Evil must be exposed. Judgment begins with the household of God. But there’s a world of difference between mourning over sin and marketing it for clicks. Here’s what we’re called to:
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth (1 Cor 13:6).
Restore the one caught in transgression with a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1).
Bear one another’s burdens, not broadcast one another’s failures.(Gal 6:2).
The theologian Paul Ramsey speaks of neighbor-love not just as a sentimental feeling, but as a covenantal commitment. It’s not about liking someone, it’s about being responsible for their good. It’s choosing solidarity over superiority. And in a world where Schadenfreude is easy, neighbor-love is holy defiance.
Christ’s Cross Conquers Schadenfreude
Jesus did not rejoice in our downfall. He wept. He bore our shame. He restored us. If we are to be His Church, we must put away the satisfaction of seeing another stumble and instead be a community marked by grace, repentance, and love. If you’ve felt Schadenfreude, congratulations, you’re human. But you’re also called to higher virtues.
Let us be the kind of church that weeps when a brother falls, prays when a sister stumbles, and rejoices not when reputations crumble but when sinners are restored. The world doesn’t need a church that kicks the wounded while live-streaming it. It needs a church that binds up the broken—because that’s what Jesus did for us. While we were still sinners, while we were gloating, Christ died for us. So let’s kill our Schadenfreude, and resurrect some compassion instead. Ask the Lord to reveal where you have rejoiced in the fall of another. Confess it. Forsake it. And choose the better way: love that “rejoices not in wrongdoing, but in the truth.”
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” - Rom 15:5
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