Let’s be honest: sometimes Christians are the most shocked people in the world when others sin. We see unbelievers act out of the flesh and we’re outraged. We see pastors or church leaders fail and we’re devastated.
But should we really be surprised?
Why We Shouldn’t Be Shocked When Unbelievers Sin
Paul says in Romans 1 that the world has suppressed the truth of God and exchanged it for lies. That’s the reality of the human heart apart from Christ.
So when unbelievers live according to the flesh—whether it’s dishonesty, immorality, pride, or self-centeredness—why are we shocked? Why do we demonize people as if they should behave like believers when they don’t even have the Spirit of God living in them?
Of course, this doesn’t mean sin is okay. But instead of outrage and condemnation, our response should be grace. Our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). Unbelievers need to see the love of Christ through us, not the finger of judgment pointed at them.
The gospel is about God’s justice that restores—not our judgment that destroys.
Why We Shouldn’t Be Shocked When Pastors Fail
Now here’s the hard part: what about when it’s not unbelievers but pastors who fail?
For a long time, I carried high expectations for pastors. I assumed they should always live fully in the Spirit, show no favoritism, and act with perfect leadership qualities. But the reality? Pastors are human too. They sometimes make selfish decisions, give preference to certain people, or let their flesh show through.
Does it hurt when leaders disappoint us? Absolutely. But the truth is, even pastors “come with an As-Is tag.” They’re not flawless saints—they’re redeemed sinners still living in the same broken world as the rest of us.
That doesn’t excuse bad behavior or mean we sweep sin under the rug. Leaders should be corrected when they go astray. But correction is different from condemnation. The goal is restoration, not destruction.
Grace Over Condemnation
Here’s what ties both situations together: whether it’s unbelievers outside the church or pastors inside the church, sin should not shock us.
- Unbelievers live by the flesh—so don’t expect them to act like they live by the Spirit.
- Pastors live by grace too—so don’t expect them to act like they’re perfect.
What’s our call as believers? To live out the justice of God revealed in the gospel. That means we respond to sin with grace. We correct when needed, restore when possible, and always remember that every person we meet carries an As-Is tag—including ourselves.
Takeaway
The gospel frees us from unrealistic expectations of people. Instead of shock and condemnation, we can offer the same grace God extends to us.
Because in the end, the world doesn’t need more outrage. It needs more people who reflect the justice and mercy of Christ.
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