Rejoice not in the downfall of other
Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Taking delight and pleasure, even rejoicing over someone else’s hardship, misery or disappointments is exhibiting a self-righteous attitude, it is a close companion of Pride; which is one of the seven deadly sins the Lord hates. So, do not take satisfaction in the shortcomings of others. There, but for the grace of God, could be each one of us in that difficult situation.
A person should not rejoice in the calamity of any person, God may lift up the unfortunate over whom one rejoices in order to rebuke the person who has rejoiced over the misfortune of another.
We are all equal before God, no matter our indifferences in this world, His grace extends to all through Christ Jesus. He exceptionally make His love available without segregating anyone.
There are times those we look unto with high esteem will fall into temptations, we should not as believer rejoice in their downfall rather pray for their rising.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Rejoicing over the downfall of others is the same as judging them and condemning them for their setbacks and downfall, we should rather show love in forgiveness and compassion where applicable.
Condemning others also brings us to the level of being judged by God because He does not have pleasure in anyone's downfall.
In John chapter eight, the scribes and pharisees brought a woman found in adultery to Jesus, they desire to know what He would say to the matter according to His teaching, meanwhile according to the law of Moses, she should be stoned to death.
She had already been condemned to death by the pharisees and the scribes in which they believed they are more holy,
But Jesus Christ exhibiting the love of God had compassion on her
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Her salvation begins that instant, if she had been judged according to the desire of the pharisees, she would never have gotten the second chance to live another life pleasing to God.
Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Micah placed himself in the place of the people, though for a time God would discipline His people through captivity, he would restore them to their land. He would bring them out from the lands of captivity and plant them again in the land they He had given to them as an inheritance.
So also is the life of any believer who falls into temptation, there is still hope that such fellow will rise again and share in the inheritance due to a child of God.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
As fellow believers, we should not rejoice in the downfall of other believers, we should rather pray for restoration and counsel the fellow, this is the brotherly love that should exist in the body of Christ.
No one is above mistakes, no one is above temptation, there is no one God cannot save and restore, do not rejoice over the downfall of others because you do not know what will become of you also in time to come.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of another day today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, forgive me for condemning others in the past in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the grace to love everyone as your will desires in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.