Guarding the Heart in a Culture of Contempt

We live in a world that often forgets how to grieve. This past week, following the sudden passing of a Senator Lindsey Graham, my social media feed filled with a sobering reminder of just how insensitive people can be. Amid the standard news reports, there was a steady stream of callousness—phrases like "good riddance" and "no loss there."

Seeing that kind of response is deeply disturbing to me.  It is a harsh reality check on the state of our digital culture. But more than just being troubled by what others are typing, it caused me to stop and look inward. It sent me straight to Scripture, demanding that I check the posture of my own heart. How are we, as followers of Christ, called to navigate these moments?

The View from Scripture: Guarding the Gate

To find our footing, we have to look closely at the wisdom literature of the Bible. Proverbs 24:17–18 gives us a direct command regarding those we might perceive as opposites or adversaries:

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove..."

The Hebrew word used here for "gloat" or "rejoice" (samach) denotes a bright, shining joy—a gladness that fills the heart. Scripture isn't just telling us to police our external words; it is addressing our internal, hidden emotions. The text warns that a secret pocket of satisfaction at someone else's misfortune or death is fundamentally misaligned with the character of God.

Why? Because every human being, regardless of their title, platform, or political stance, is an image-bearer of the Creator (Genesis 1:27). When we reduce a living, breathing soul—someone who was a father, a husband, and a friend—down to a mere political caricature, we lose a piece of our own humanity.

A Higher Call for Our Hearts

Jesus took this foundational truth and raised the bar even higher. He didn't just command us to tolerate those across the aisle; He commanded us to love them, to bless them, and to pray for them (Luke 6:27-28).

This blog post isn't a critique of the internet; it is a necessary reminder to myself. It is so easy to let the bitterness of our culture seep into our own minds. If we are not careful, we can become conditioned to see tragedy through the lens of a balance sheet rather than the lens of the cross.

When public figures pass away, they leave behind real families who are stepping into a season of profound grief. Our first and most natural response should be intercession—praying for comfort for those who are mourning.

Let’s encourage one another to actively resist the pull toward casual contempt. We can choose a different path. By guarding our hearts, anchoring our tongues in grace, and choosing empathy over political commentary, we reflect the heart of a Savior who meets a broken world with radical, redeeming love. Let’s lead with that love this week.