Neither Do I Condemn Thee: A Christian’s Response to Division and Vitriol

Over the weekend leading up to Inauguration Day, and especially this morning, I’ve observed a troubling surge of absolutely disgusting vitriol, condemnation, and divisiveness from both sides of the political and social spectrum. Since the inception of this blog, I have tried to remain as neutral and solution-focused as possible, sharing love and the experience of healing oneself, from the inside out, as the way to address the hatred in this world without delving into specifics or calling anyone out directly. As a Christian, however, I can no longer remain silent on the true issue: the behavior of proclaimed “Christians” who are not Christian—certainly not “Christ-like”—at all.

We live in a time when defending one’s beliefs is often equated with attacking others. Personal attacks, harsh judgments, and toxic rhetoric are increasingly cloaked in the guise of devotion to faith. This behavior is especially alarming when it comes from those who profess to follow Christ, as it stands in direct opposition to His teachings.

This post is not written to condemn anyone but rather to call us back to the words and example of the Master. For Christians, how we conduct ourselves in defense of our beliefs reflects not only on us but also on Christ. When we engage in hateful behavior, we do more than harm others—we blaspheme the very name of the One we claim to follow.

The Call is to Love, Not Condemn

Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

These words, spoken by Christ to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11), are a profound reminder of His mercy and mission. Christ, fully within His rights under the law, chose instead to extend grace and invite her to change.

Contrast this with the behavior of many professed Christians today. Rather than extending love and an invitation to grow, people are quick to attack and condemn those they perceive as sinful or wrong. Labels like “losers,” “gooners,” and even worse and far more vulgar insults are hurled as though such words could bring people closer to Christ. But they don’t—they alienate, push away, and harden hearts against both the messenger and the message of the gospel.

This is not the example of Christ.

Hypocrisy and the Danger of Self-Righteousness

In Matthew 23:23-28, Christ openly rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

These words are a warning to us today. Too often, we as Christians are quick to condemn the sins of others while ignoring the pride, self-righteousness, and lack of love in our own hearts. We forget Christ’s command to first remove the beam from our own eye before addressing the mote in another’s (Matthew 7:5).

Let us not be so consumed with being right that we forget to be kind.

Condemning Sin Without Condemning Sinners

Sin is the enemy; people are not. Christ made this distinction clear throughout His ministry, repeatedly showing mercy to sinners while condemning the sin itself. He dined with tax collectors, defended the accused, and sought out the lost. This is not to say He did not express righteous anger toward sin—consider the example of Him overturning the tables of the money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13)—but His love transformed lives. He did not condone or excuse sin but offered a path to redemption, inviting people to change and follow Him.

As Christians, we are called to do the same. Attacking people for their sins or views under the guise of “tough love” is not love—not at all. True love seeks to connect, not to push away. It is patient, kind, and long-suffering (1 Corinthians 13). If our actions drive others away from Christ, we are failing in our mission.

It’s important to acknowledge here that not one of us is perfect, Christian or not, and that not everyone who reads this blog, studies the Bible, or strives to be a good and decent person identifies as a Christian. This message is not written to exclude anyone, but it does specifically call out those who profess to follow Christ while behaving in ways that contradict His teachings. As professed Christians, we bear a responsibility to reflect Christ’s love, mercy, and humility in our actions. When we fail to do so, we not only harm others but also misrepresent the faith we claim to uphold.

For professed Christians, there is no greater betrayal of the gospel than to act in hatred while claiming to act in Christ’s name. It is nothing short of blasphemy. Such behavior stains the name of Christianity and becomes a stumbling block for those who might otherwise seek the Savior.

The Consequences of Misguided ‘Tough Love’

The idea that attacking others is a form of tough love is deeply flawed. Tough love is not about condemnation; it is about holding others accountable with compassion and a genuine desire to see them grow. When we attack people, we don’t invite them to change—we push them further into defensiveness and resentment.

We also risk painting ourselves as arrogant and self-righteous, reinforcing the stereotype of Christians as judgmental busybodies. This is not the gospel. Christ calls us to humility, reminding us that we, too, are sinners in need of grace.

“For he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:9).

A Call to Action for Christians

To my fellow Christians: Let us stop condemning sinners and start reflecting Christ’s love. Let us hold fast to truth, but always in the spirit of love and mercy. Let us remember that we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, not enforcers of condemnation.

If you find yourself tempted to attack or judge, ask yourself: Will my words or actions bring this person closer to Christ, or will they push them further away? If the answer is the latter, reconsider.

As Christ taught:

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)

Our words have the power to either build up or tear down, to invite others toward Christ or drive them away. Let us use them wisely and with love.

As we move forward, regardless of our stances on any number of worldly issues and concerns, I pray for all the strength to follow Christ’s example:

Heavenly Father, help us to love as You love, to see others as You see them, and to extend the mercy that You so freely give. Forgive us for the times we have fallen short and guide us to be instruments of Your peace. Let our words and actions reflect the light of Christ, drawing others closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let us be known not for our condemnation but for our compassion, not for our harshness but for our humility, and not for our pride but for our love. In this way, we honor the One who first loved us.