Why Laughing at Coldplay’s Kiss Cam Isn’t Funny
By now, most of us have seen and heard about the married CEO and his employee who were very publicly exposed on a Jumbotron Kiss-Cam during a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts.
Caught on camera during the concert, their fearful, startled looks at being publicly exposed in an extramarital affair have stirred up countless social media memes and videos recreating the moment, mocking them, making jokes, and widespread chatter. It seems like the entire world is laughing at them, but even more importantly, at their sin. But joking about someone’s sin isn’t funny.
Sin is no laughing matter, and it’s a sad reflection on our present-day social-media culture that, when seeing a man and woman caught in adultery, the overall reaction isn’t feeling saddened but rather an opportunity to have fun with it, forgetting how their actions are most likely breaking up families and ruining careers.
Sadly, in this day and age, it doesn’t seem like many people even really care or believe it’s sinful to have extramarital affairs, but rather think the on-camera reaction to getting caught in the act is hilarious.
Darkness Exposed
Yet, still, did these two really believe they could hide their relationship with security cameras everywhere, not to mention personal phone cams, and as they surprisingly found out, kiss cams, too?
After all, Jesus tells us in Luke 8:17 that it’s pointless to try to hide things in life, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:11-13 also warns, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”
Still, it seems people often become confident and proud of their own cleverness and ability to conceal and deceive, causing them to trip up, entrap them, and send them falling headfirst. As Proverbs 5:22 describes, “The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.”
Saint Augustine wrote in his Anti-Pelagian Writings, "But how shall we separate pride itself from sin? To sin is quite as much to be proud, as to be proud is to sin; for only ask what every sin is, and see whether you can find any sin without the designation of pride.”
Why Sin Exposed Is to Be Mourned, Not Celebrated
Sin exposed is to be mourned, to serve as a warning to others practicing it, believing the lies that their sin is hidden and bears no consequences.
As Christians, we need to encourage repentance from sin and reconciliation to God and their families rather than mocking this man and woman.
Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Instead of laughing at the situation, our hearts should be grieved and sorrowful for everyone involved in this type of heartbreaking situation. We should also pray for them, for God to move in their lives and draw them to Himself.
Sexual sin is nothing to be joked about, as Paul stresses in 1 Corinthians 6:9. “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men.”
Also, the Apostle John in Revelation 21:8 warns, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
What Did Jesus Do?
Jesus showed us how to respond when addressing individuals caught in the act of adultery. John 8:3-6 sets the scene:
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger.”
Wise in how Jesus addressed the situation, John 8:7-9 describes what happened next:
“When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.”
Although we don’t know for sure what Jesus was writing on the ground, along with how the accusers left one by one, theologians have proposed the belief that he was exposing the sins of those pointing fingers at her.
Most importantly, it is how Jesus responded to the woman caught in adultery. “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
‘No one, sir,’ she said.
‘Then neither do I condemn you, ‘Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin’” (John 8:10-11).
As Christians, along with compassion, we’re called to urge people to stop sinning. James 5:20 reminds us, “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
The Pride of Sin
As Saint Augustine wrote, we can be sure that when sin is present, so is pride. Sin was birthed in the pride of Satan, who believed he could oppose God and triumph over Him. Isaiah 14:12-15 describes the devil’s prideful actions that led to his fall:
“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne
above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.”
Just like pride paved the way for Satan’s fall, it’s still paving the way today for the fall of countless individuals. It’s what has been taking place over the centuries, the devil deceiving and spreading the same delusional thinking to those who believe his lies; that they can go against God and His will and win. But sin will never, ever reign or triumph over God.
A Cautionary Tale for All
Especially as Christians, if we’re making light of this man and woman being caught publicly in adultery, we need to take a step back and take heed of the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
I urge others who may be in similar situations to repent and turn away from sin, letting this be a word to the wise and a cautionary tale for all to take to heart.
If we’re jesting and bantering about their situation, as believers in Jesus Christ, it’s wise for us to reassess our response to keep pride at bay; as Proverbs 16:18 informs, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Pride makes fun of and laughs at those who fall into sin, telling us we’re smarter and more clever than those who were caught. But we aren’t relying on ourselves to resist temptation; as Isaiah 40:29 describes, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Likewise, for those who are tempted, like the individuals on the Kiss-Cam, there is hope, as Psalm 37:23-24 explains, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Photo Credit: ©X/@collinrugg
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Originally published July 21, 2025.
