By Dhimas Anugrah
Have you ever felt happy when you see someone face consequences, mess up, or go through tough times? Like when an arrogant person gets knocked down a peg, a coworker you don’t really like misses out on a promotion, or a public figure you find irritating makes a huge mistake. That unexpected feeling of happiness seems to come out of nowhere and feels so normal, doesn’t it? In German, there’s a word for this feeling: schadenfreude. “Schaden” means harm or suffering, and “freude” means joy. In short, it’s the pleasure we feel when others face misfortune.
Schadenfreude is an emotion we often keep to ourselves. It can be puzzling—on one side, it feels like justice is being done, but on the other, it seems like a quiet celebration of revenge. Why do we feel happy when others fail or face hard times? What’s happening deep inside us when we take pleasure in someone else’s downfall? Could it reveal a flaw within us—that joy isn’t always rooted in kindness, but sometimes in the misfortune of others?
Morally Flawed Joy
Let’s explore the human mind: Why do we feel pleased when others stumble?
It’s not because we wish for others to suffer, but because, deep down, we feel a sense of balance being restored when someone who seemed more successful, more popular, or luckier hits a rough patch.
Psychologist Paul Rozin (2003) explains this as “benign masochism”—the enjoyment of negative experiences that don’t actually cause harm. For instance, we watch scary movies, eat super spicy food, or ride thrilling roller coasters, not because we want to feel pain, but because the excitement gives us a safe rush. Schadenfreude works in a similar way. Observing others’ failures from afar, without being involved, brings us relief—not because they’re suffering, but because the world, which once felt unfair, suddenly appears a little more just.
Research by Wilco van Dijk and Jaap Ouwerkerk points to two main reasons why we feel schadenfreude: envy and the belief that the person deserves their misfortune. When someone we see as “better” or “above” us stumbles, it feels like justice has been served. This aligns with the just-world hypothesis—the idea that bad luck happens for a reason. As a result, we might secretly celebrate others’ failures as personal victories against unfairness we can’t openly confront.
What we often cheer for is not fairness, but our own delicate ego. When someone else’s achievements make us feel small, their failure feels like a strange kind of comfort. This is called downward social comparison—our happiness doesn’t come from self-improvement, but from others’ setbacks. In many situations, this feeling isn’t fueled by anger, but by fear. We crave reassurance that we’re still “good enough,” that failure is universal—even for those we’ve secretly looked up to with envy.
Schadenfreude is more than just a quiet form of cruelty—it’s a defense mechanism. It often disguises itself as a sense of justice but is really a way to mask our own hidden pain. Beneath the satisfaction of seeing someone stumble lies a deeper battle: feelings of insecurity, hurt pride, and the fear of our own failures.
Twisted Delight
Proverbs 24:17-18 teaches, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” This verse goes beyond urging us to act righteously—it calls us to embrace God’s perspective, even towards those who harm us. It extends an invitation to cultivate a deeper, purer love—a love that resists finding satisfaction in others’ suffering.
In Jewish teachings, this verse carries profound ethical importance. The rabbis explained it as a warning that celebrating the misfortune of our enemies not only harms our own character but also damages our sacred connection with God. This interpretation echoes Proverbs 24, emphasizing that even if the downfall of wrongdoers feels like a win, it is not an occasion to rejoice in God’s presence.
From a Christian perspective, vengeance is seen as belonging to God alone. Romans 12:19 urges believers, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.” Similarly, Galatians 5:26 warns against envying others, saying, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” These teachings acknowledge the natural human tendency to compete, compare, and judge.
Schadenfreude becomes a problem when it makes us act as if we’re judges—a role that belongs to God alone. The suffering of others may give us a false sense of righteousness, but this is far from what God desires. God’s priority is repentance, not condemnation. As shown in the story of Jonah and Nineveh, God’s goal is to save and restore, not to destroy.
When we rejoice in the downfall of others, we twist justice to suit our own egos. We let compassion slip away, replacing it with complacency, using someone else’s pain as a way to boost our own sense of importance. However, God’s justice is about healing and restoring what is broken, not tearing others down.
Through grace, we are called to see others with a renewed perspective. Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. This truth leaves no room for pride in another’s failure. A heart shaped by Christ’s love seeks not self-justification but compassion, mirroring God’s love and restoration in our own lives.
Schadenfreude Arises from a Heart in Need of Healing
When we find delight in someone else’s misfortune, it doesn’t signify spiritual triumph, but instead reveals unresolved pain within us. Genuine joy cannot emerge from the destruction of another’s life. Happiness rooted in another’s downfall isn’t a reflection of the Spirit’s work, but rather the lingering evidence of a heart that has yet to be truly restored.
A restored heart is secure, unfazed by the triumphs of others, and finds no validation in their failures. It recognizes that God’s grace isn’t about competition or comparison but is rooted in restoration and relationship. Such a heart is capable of grieving for those who stumble, even if they were once enemies, as Romans 12:15 teaches. It can also extend prayers for its enemies—not by erasing past pain, but by understanding that true healing comes only when we let go of the hurt we may cling to.
True spirituality does not rush to celebrate victories that come at the cost of someone else’s defeat. In God’s kingdom, victory is not defined by being the last one standing, but by continuing to love, even when standing alone. We cannot guide others into God’s presence while looking down on them—and perhaps, we cannot remain in God’s presence while taking pleasure in someone else’s downfall.
Schadenfreude might feel natural, even deeply human. Yet Christ’s way surpasses what feels “natural.” He calls us toward a compassion that heals, not a joy that decays. A heart that takes delight in the failures of others is one that is still in need of restoration. However, a heart that shows mercy to its enemies—that is a heart transformed by the love and grace of Jesus, our Savior.
Guard Your Heart, Protect Its Purity
Let’s take a closer look at what’s inside us. If schadenfreude serves as a signal, it goes beyond being a moral concern—it becomes an invitation to uncover the true state of our hearts. It’s like a quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit saying, “There’s a wound in your heart that hasn’t been brought to Me for healing.” This brings us to a profound truth: finding joy in another’s suffering, no matter how subtle, is not a mark of spiritual victory. It’s a sign that our hearts are still in need of transformation, guided by a Love far greater than pride, vengeance, or envy.
The world often embraces schadenfreude, turning it into entertainment or even a marketable commodity. On screens, social media, and in everyday discussions, the downfall of others is frequently met with applause. Yet, we are called to live differently—to nurture a heart that reflects Christ’s love rather than the world’s tendencies.
Jesus exemplified a love that refused to rejoice in the failures of others. When Peter denied Him, His response was one of compassion, not condemnation. He foresaw Judas’ betrayal but did not celebrate his downfall. Even in His greatest suffering on the cross, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him—not because they earned forgiveness, but because His love rose above all human failures. This is the heart of Christ, and He invites us to follow His example (Matthew 5:43-48).
Schadenfreude is, indeed, misplaced joy. Instead of celebrating the failure of others—even those who may have wronged us—our response should be one of prayer and sorrow. When someone stumbles, it is a reminder that we are all interconnected, part of the same human body.
Watch Also:
Our Misunderstanding of God’s Justice
When someone wrongs us, it’s natural to want them to face consequences for their actions. We often say, “Karma will get them!” as a way to justify our feelings. God’s Word also says, ” A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7). But does this mean the same thing as karma?
Let’s explore this topic on Podcast KaMu: Our Misunderstanding of God’s Justice | Discussing The Law of Sowing & Reaping in Today’s World with Ev. Heri Subeno (in Indonesian).
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