Tolerant Compassion | Judges 21:13-15

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Our text today is Judges 21:13-15.

Then the whole congregation sent word to the people of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon and proclaimed peace to them. And Benjamin returned at that time. And they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead, but they were not enough for them. And the people had compassion on Benjamin because the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel. — Judges 21:13-15

Israel finally shows compassion—but it’s a compassion built on tolerance, not truth. They pity the Benjamites, the very tribe they destroyed, but their compassion leads to compromise. They offer peace while perpetuating the very rebellion that tore the nation apart.

This is tolerant compassion—a mercy that ignores righteousness. It feels good in the moment, but erodes conviction over time. It’s a love that refuses to speak the truth, fearing rejection more than rebellion.

We see this same pattern today. Our culture preaches compassion without boundaries. We’re told to affirm rather than confront, to love without leading, to sympathize without speaking truth. And too often, the Church imitates it.

Take one example: modern parenting. Out of love, some parents avoid disciplining their kids, afraid of hurting their feelings or damaging the relationship. They mistake permissiveness for grace. But in doing so, they create confusion instead of character. Compassion without correction always leads to collapse.

The same is true in our faith. When we tolerate what God calls sin, we’re not showing love—we’re abandoning it. True compassion tells the truth even when it costs us something. Real love doesn’t lower the standard; it leads others toward it.

God’s compassion never compromises His holiness, and neither should ours. The most loving thing we can do is to speak truth with grace, extend mercy with conviction, and love others enough to call them toward repentance.

Don’t settle for tolerant compassion. Be the kind of believer who loves with both courage and clarity.

ASK THIS:

1. Have I mistaken tolerance for compassion in my relationships?
2. What’s one area where I’ve avoided truth to keep peace?
3. How can I show compassion without compromising conviction?
4. Who needs to experience both grace and truth from me today?

DO THIS:

• Identify one area where you’ve tolerated sin instead of confronting it.
• Pray for courage to speak truth in love this week.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to love like You—full of grace and truth. Give me compassion that doesn’t compromise and courage that doesn’t condemn. Let my mercy lead others to Your righteousness. Amen.

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