One of the things social media has taught us—unashamedly—is how to get into other people’s business.
By now, you’ve probably heard the story of the CEO and HR executive who were caught in an affair at a public event. Since then, their story has been everywhere: on news networks, gossip blogs, and all over the pages of everyday content creators.
It has been dissected as a case study, used as a cautionary tale, and spun in every way imaginable.
Some people have become full-time online investigators, digging up as much as they can about this couple. Others have gone as far as creating fake letters and social media accounts, even dragging their families into it.
But I think we can all agree, it’s time to let it go.
In all the frenzy, we may have forgotten one important thing: they are human. Not robots or avatars for our entertainment or education, but real people with emotions, histories, and regrets.
Some might argue,
“If they didn’t want the publicity, they shouldn’t have been at the event.”
That may be true. But does that make us the ones qualified to throw the first stone?
Are we really better than the adulterers?
I’ve noticed something: public shame has a way of stirring up judgment in us, even if unconsciously. We start listing the many ways we are “not like them.” Married couples might say, “That could never be me.” Singles might proudly declare their standards.
And it didn’t start today
Public Shame Fuels Judgment
You probably remember the story of the woman who was caught in adultery (John 8). The people were ready to turn her into past tense until Jesus intervened, not just with words, but with a simple reminder that we are all guilty.
Does this excuse their behaviour? Not at all, it doesn’t change the definition of adultery, and never will, but it calls us to mercy and kindness in such situations.
Here’s the truth:
We are all guilty.
Guilty of sin.
Guilty of falling short.
Guilty of needing grace every single day.
Maybe you’ve never cheated or even thought about it. But maybe you’re holding on to anger and unforgiveness.
Maybe your struggle is greed or gluttony.
Or envy and bitterness.
Maybe it’s disobedience, trying to live life on your own terms.
Some of us even brag about “matching energy.” But is that what God has called us to do?
The God who calls us to bless those who curse you? Who calls us to be light and salt.
The uproar these past few weeks reminded me just how broken we all are. And how, in our hunger for wholeness, we often turn to the wrong things:
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For some, it’s pornography or masturbation.
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For others, it’s food, drugs, or alcohol.
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And for many, it’s compromising just to feel like we belong.
My prayer is this: may we stop looking for stories of those who have fallen to feed our self-righteousness.
May we be the first to intercede for those who have fallen rather than looking to cast the first stone. Because one thing this world needs is not more hate, but more kindness. It needs a gentleness that is not tied to people pleasing, but to seeing people as God sees them.
Instead of joining the rumour mongers and gossip trains, may we face our own paths, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), knowing that He who has begun this good work within us is able to complete it.
Finally, when we focus on examining our own hearts, we’ll have very little time, or desire, to judge anyone else’s.
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