When Cancel Culture and Social Shaming Dominate
It’s everywhere now. Say the wrong thing, hold the wrong view, make a mistake — and society is ready to cancel you. Careers end. Relationships shatter. People are judged and sentenced in the court of public opinion before they even have a chance to speak.
Even Christians aren’t exempt. Churches divide. Believers tear each other down over disagreements. Social shaming has become the weapon of choice in today’s culture.
So what would Jesus do when cancel culture reigns? We don’t have to guess. We can look directly at what He did.
In John 8, a woman caught in adultery was dragged before Jesus. She wasn’t just facing judgment — she was facing death. The crowd was ready with stones in hand, demanding justice.
But Jesus didn’t join the mob. He didn’t shout her down or shame her publicly. Instead, He said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
One by one, they left. Jesus then turned to the woman and said something life-changing: “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
That’s what Jesus would do. He would not excuse sin, but He would not destroy the sinner. He offered redemption, not public stoning. He extended grace with truth — forgiveness paired with a call to holiness.
So what would Jesus do in the age of cancel culture?
He would not join in tearing people down.
He would not define people by their worst moments.
He would not shame publicly just to satisfy a crowd.
He would offer mercy.
He would speak truth with love.
He would call people to repentance and restoration.
How should we follow Him today?
Be slow to condemn and quick to show grace. Speak truth, but do it without cruelty. Refuse to join the world in shaming people, and instead, be the one who offers them a way back. Remember, every redeemed person in the church was once a sinner deserving judgment — but Jesus stepped in.
The world cancels to silence and destroy. Jesus forgives to restore and renew. What would Jesus do today? He would step in between the mob and the accused, and say once again, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”