I am under no obligation to pretend Renee Good was morally virtuous. By all accounts, she lived in ways entirely contrary to what I believe actually is virtuous. I also get the sense that she and her “wife” delighted in provocation, which is why they said and did the things they did in the place they were. As such, I think such behavior played a role in the dreadful situation our nation is currently enduring. But even so, as a human being—as a Christian—regardless of any disagreements I might’ve had with Good had I known her personally, I would never want or cheer for her death. Why? Because Christians do not traffic in such things. We pursue life—even for those we believe are squandering it, even for those we don’t know, even for those with whom we disagree.

Indeed, what happened is terrible. That said, if you’re glad she died, if your first thought was, “Good riddance,” or perhaps more, you’re rooting for other protestors to die, then you are missing the mark entirely, and you’re playing right into the hands of those who actually do want things to get worse. What’s more, you’re pushing the ideological continents further apart, and you’re giving those on the other shore a very good reason to point the finger and say, “See! This is what your convictions produce!”

Stand against what you will. Side with whomever. But at least do so with integrity. Repent and resist the temptation to be glad about someone else’s harm (Matthew 5:44). It fosters devilry, brings only despair, and is one sure way to mark you as the bad guy, even if your position is the better one.