Remorse Over Sins

(This article is a follow up from my ladies class lesson in June 2025)

What is your attitude when reading gossip or reports of celebrities’ wrongdoings?  What about casual lunchtime conversations with colleagues about someone’s faults, mistakes or sins? Have you watched movies or TV dramas that depict themes such as extramarital affairs or cohabitation?

I am not suggesting that we should completely avoid having conversations or watching TV. But in engaging in such activities, we will inevitably notice the sins of others. When we read tabloid news, crime reports, or watch shows portraying sinful behaviour, we are often given detailed accounts of those sins. Even if we choose to walk away from the conversation, stop reading crime news, or stop watching certain dramas, we will still encounter knowledge of others’ sins in one form or another. As long as we live in this world, we cannot escape exposure to sin.

The Bible reminds us not to rejoice in the sins of others (1 Corinthians 13:6). We may fall into this trap if we discuss offences with others and make one-sided judgements based on incomplete information. In doing so, we may unwittingly sensationalise the offence when we share it. Matthew 12:36 warns:  “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

Would we want others to talk about our sins behind our backs? Do we secretly delight in hearing about the downfall of our “enemies” or “rivals”? Psychology has a term for this: “Schadenfreude” (from the German word “Schaden,” meaning “harm/damage” and “Freude” meaning “joy”) – this term describes the pleasure or satisfaction people feel at the misfortune of others. We have a similar Chinese saying “幸灾乐祸”(xìngzāilèhuò). Without God’s Word guiding us, and our own conscious effort to change our emotional responses, it is only human nature to react this way (Psalms 119:11).

We must also guard against a “holier than thou” attitude or mocking those who fall into sin (Proverbs 14:9). It is easy to condemn others and assume we would never make the same mistake. But the Bible warns us: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12; cf. 2 Peter 3:17).

 In today’s world of declining moral standards, we must be careful not to trivialise sin or treat it as normal – whether it be premarital sex, homosexuality, or other behaviours (Hebrews 3:13).  Society often uses euphemisms: “shortcomings,” “poor judgement,” “mistakes,” or “moments of folly.”  Adultery becomes “having an affair;” homosexuality becomes an “alternative lifestyle;” murder is excused as “abortion” or “euthanasia.”  The media often portrays such behaviour as normal and acceptable. Yet, no matter how the world may redefine morality, we must hold fast to God’s standards: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”  (Isaiah 5:20).

Recently, I experienced this firsthand. While commuting home with two male colleagues, one discovered that the other had a girlfriend. After congratulating him, the colleague began to jokingly suggest to him that, since he was not that young, he should quickly get his girlfriend pregnant, which would be “killing two birds with one stone.” I was shocked at the turn of the conversation.  Though I knew my response might not be well received, I could not remain silent.  I told them of the importance of purity before marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4).

We also see a lesson from the Old Testament.  In Genesis 9:21-26, Noah, after his great achievement of building the ark and surviving the flood, sinned by becoming drunk (Proverbs 20:1). In his drunkenness, he lay uncovered in his tent. His son Ham saw his father’s shame and chose to expose it by telling his brothers, Shem and Japheth. In doing so, Ham was “rejoicing in sin,” by spreading news of his father’s shame. In contrast, Shem and Japheth acted with respect and love: they walked backwards into the tent and covered their father’s nakedness without looking at him. This illustrates the principle of 1 Peter 4:8, that “love covers a multitude of sins.”  As the Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes: “The bearing of men towards the sins of others is always a touchstone of character” (Touchstone is a dark piece of stone used to test metals to determine their authenticity).  In other words, our response to the sins of others reveals our true character.

So, what should we do when we become aware of a brother or sister’s sin?  Galatians 6:1 teaches us to restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, keeping in mind that we too may be tempted.  Confronting sin is never easy, especially with those whom we are close to, but it is necessary.    

In conclusion, may we always strive to have the right attitude when hearing about the sins of others.  Their failings should remind us that sin, no matter how small it may appear to the world, is still sin (James 2:10).  It should also caution us against falling into the same trap. And when sin is committed by someone we know, we must respond with truth, love, and humility. Remember: we were once in darkness, but we now walk in the light. Having been set free from sin, let us never return to it again (Romans 6:2).