O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.

-Psalm 139:21-22, NLT

When condemning is a good thing…

Currently, most people will not have a problem condemning pedophilia. It is wrong, and talking about victims may evoke anger over the injustice they suffered.

Condemnation of that behavior is in order.

So, condemning is not categorically wrong.

We want leaders who condemn certain behaviors–like pedophilia. In fact, our society requires condemnation to exist as it is held together by laws condemning certain behaviors as criminal.

I have heard my writing may come across as condemning. Good!

My hope is anyone who reads here or elsewhere understands I unequivocally condemn adultery. It is wrong. It is sin. And nothing excuses it.

I am somewhat surprised that anyone would expect less than condemnation of sin from a pastor writing on adultery.  

Something is horribly wrong with the church’s moral compass if they expect their moral leaders to be anything but condemning towards violations of the Ten Commandments.

“But I know someone who cheated, and he is a friend,” they say.

Do you hate what God hates? Put another way: Is your heart formed to love what He loves and hate what He hates?

A major goal of Christian formation is to have a heart like God’s. We want to be like Jesus. This includes an orientation to righteousness as God is righteous and sinless.

If you truly loved your friend, you would hate the sins he committed by cheating on his wife. That is love with attention to his soul’s well-being (see Hebrews 10:26-27).

I understand my writing is not designed to make cheaters or cheater sympathizers feel good.

Nor does the Bible if they care to pay attention to God’s heart on the matter!

 

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*A version of this post ran previously.