Ok, this isn’t the website to check the Ashley Madison list. That is somewhere else. But before you find it (and you will find it), give me a second.

Why do you want to see the list? (Click Here to go back to the previous post)

Is it to celebrate in the pain of others? I’ll admit, part of me was wondering if I might see a name or two on there which would make me happy. We all like for one of our enemies to get what we think is coming to them.

Is it to make yourself feel better? You know you’ve done wrong, but at least your name wasn’t on the Ashley Madison list.

Chances are, your intention for seeing the list is not good. (As a pastor I could claim spiritual reasons for checking. I was protecting the church and seeing what potential work I might need to do. Yet were my motives completely pure?) (See: Installing Soft Walls in Your Church)

Before reading the list, at least consider:

• What if your darkest secrets were listed for everyone to see?
• What if the worst act you committed seven years ago was just released today?
• What if your mom or dad, husband or wife, son or daughter was on the list?

While I would never excuse any name on the list, my heart breaks for the families. They are the victims of a criminal act.  Yet they are left to deal with the public shame of what they have done.

Remember, just because your name isn’t on the list does not mean you are innocent. You are not. I am not.

There are a thousand other lists of sins which my name would rightly be on. Thankfully I’m not required to give my credit card number before gossiping. I don’t have to list my hometown before lying. I don’t have to give my legal name before judging. (See: The Most Confident Christians)

If I did, my name would top the sin list. Instead, my sin remains anonymous while my fellow sinners have their mistakes broadcast on the local news.

Their actions were wrong, but view them in the context of human beings who are hurting. As you read the list, have compassion.