Schadenfreude

(7-3-05)

Psalm 1

Schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.

This is not a good trait weather human or angelic (demonic) and yet it is one. There is likely not a person here at this moment that has not wished for some person to get their just rewards, is there? We are called by our Lord and master to be better than that.

^{PS 1:1} Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

^{PS 1:2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

In whose council do you walk, In what pathway do you stand, In whose seat do you sit?

We live in a world full of trouble and yet we seem to thirst for more. The world flocks to the games much like the days of old when the arena was filled with the cheers for death and blood. Millions tune into the new reality shows to drink deep of others plights and misfortunes. Shows of judgment against the "guilty" are applauded. People getting fired, ripped and ridiculed for the entertainment of the masses. What is wrong with this picture? Shadenfreude!

Blessed is the person who does not walk, stand or sit where they should not and _________? Many Christians and many non believers live their lives under the impression that just not being bad is good enough and yet they have no passion for the higher things of God.

We celebrate independence and freedom every year but freedom from what? In Christ we also rejoice in our freedom but freedom from what? Paul warns us that our freedom is not for indulgence in wickedness. ^GAL
5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. ¹⁴ The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁵ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (see Gal.513-26 in the MSG)

The German language, if my source is true, has a word that English has no equivalent to – schadenfreude. This word or rather its meaning is a sad testimony to hearts and lives corrupted by and desires fueled by a lust for others hardship, pain, and suffering. We who are in Christ have been called to freedom in Christ. Let us labor to use that freedom for the pursuit of love. The idea is to see how many we can help rescue from their plight, not sit on the other side of things and watch their miseries unfold and quietly think – ‘ they are getting what they deserve!’

To meditate on the grace of God one will soon come to see that the only reason Christians are not going to get what they deserve is Jesus’ own suffering and death on the cross. Jesus has made it possible for the whole world to escape the ultimate peril; eternal damnation in the firry depths of ----. I pray that the delight of your heart is and if not will be the law of the Lord.