Dr. Elizabeth Segal suggests that tolerance is often used to justify people, opinions, events, and circumstances we do not agree with and that we endure (tolerate) to avoid conflict or hurting someone’s feelings. Dr. Segal warns that excessive tolerance can lead to bad behavior or harm. She goes on to say that too little tolerance can cause unnecessary harm and conflict. Too much tolerance has led our society to accept behavior that in the not-too-distant past would never have been allowed. We can all probably name social issues that are a direct result of tolerating bad behavior that has now become almost the norm. Unfortunately, we are living in an era that sees a lot of conflict, where one group will not allow another group to express their religious and political views. It could be argued that tolerating bad behavior has created a lack of tolerance from others. This societal problem has created Antifa, LGBTQ, BLM, the American communist party, and several other radical groups. Repeated stimuli across various media have dulled our senses, and many things that used to be forbidden are now tolerated.
We have all heard the phrase “hate the sin and love the sinner.” This phrase does not appear in the Bible. The phrase is a recurring theme, but God does not love sin. God asks that we show tolerance through patience, love, compassion, and understanding toward others. But we must accept that God balances this type of tolerance with truth and righteousness. God shows great mercy and patience, allowing people to repent and change their sinful ways. Romans 2 recognizes God’s goodness, allowing us to repent. Jonah 3 describes God’s tolerance and compassion as He allowed the people of Nineveh to avoid destruction when they repented of their sins, turned away from their wickedness, and accepted God’s goodness. Both of these events show God’s willingness to forgive and allow sinners time to change. We cannot make the mistake of thinking God is ignoring bad behavior, sin, or wrongdoing because of His tolerance and willingness to allow others time to change.
Jesus is the perfect example of how to balance tolerance with truth. He treated people with love and compassion, even when they were living in sin. He ate with tax collectors, spoke with the Samaritan woman, and healed those who were considered outcasts. However, Jesus never ignored sin or pretended it did not matter. John 8:11 describes when the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him; He did not condemn her, but told her, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus showed that true tolerance means loving people while also calling them to righteousness. (Carter, 2024)
Sometimes tolerance is mistaken for excusing sinful behavior. Tolerance is being able to love the unlovable while upholding moral truths and not compromising God’s standards.
How do we show tolerance and not compromise our standards, and more importantly, maintain God’s directions? Ephesians 4 and Romans 15 suggest that we must show compassion, be respectful, and exercise immense patience. Tolerance often requires us to allow time for change, which tries our patience and strains our ability to show mercy. We are supposed to love people with different beliefs and attitudes, which is never easy. We are asked to forgive and understand people while being kind and developing some reconciliation, even when it is not easy. We should never ignore or condone sin, and we should try to guide people toward a better way of living without being judgmental.
Tolerance is practiced throughout the Bible, but it also places clear limits on when tolerance is not allowed. Habakkuk states that evil, wickedness, and sin should never be tolerated. False teaching, unsound doctrine, and teaching that goes contrary to God’s will cannot and will not be allowed. Sexual immorality, the worship of idols, and placing anything above God can never be tolerated in the church or in God’s eyes. “Scripture instructs us to practice tolerance while never compromising the truth or relaxing God’s standard of holiness. This balance allows us to see people through the eyes of Jesus and perceive that they are lost, helpless sinners in want of His great compassion, mercy, grace, and forgiveness (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). When we love people like Jesus does, selflessly, we can hear and see their unspoken needs, even if we don’t agree with them.” (Staff, n.d.)
Carter, M. (2024, 1 23). Tolerance—When Should Christians Draw the Line? Retrieved from Bible Boulevard: https://bibleboulevard.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-tolerance/
Staff. (n.d.). What does the Bible say about tolerance? Retrieved from Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-tolerance.html