Today I heard yet another scandal of a high profile minister. I won't say he "fell" because no one "falls" into sin and iniquity. A thought comes to tempt them. They receive that thought. They begin to fantasize about it and meditate on it. Then they believe the lie that no one will find out about it and they can get away with it. Then they give themselves permission to indulge in that fantasy. Boom! Trap set and sprung. An even greater problem comes when that leader is not repentant or humbled and not willing to submit to correction and restoration. This high-profile minister I am referring to refused to step down to be restored, ignoring his elders' recommendations. He then went on to encourage his followers to be sure to purchase his new book and CD that will be available soon!
Christians have cultivated a bad reputation with the world precisely because of an epidemic of sinful scandals and loose living among our leadership. They have become far too comfortable with unrepentant sin in our leadership and among our fellow believers. Citizens of the Kingdom of God put obedience to God's Word and representing His Kingdom far above man's reputation and their comfort. While we cannot make our leaders live Godly obedient lives, our responsibility is in how we respond to this disobedience. Our fear of appearing judgmental has tied our hands and taped our mouths from speaking the truth of God's Word in these situations.
Once we are aware of their sin, here are some of our responsibilities when a spiritual leader--pastor, high-profile minister, teacher, prophet or singer--is in sin:
Pray for them. Pray for wisdom, for their eyes to be opened and given a revelation of what they have done. Pray that the Holy Spirit would draw them and bring them to true repentance. Pray that all pride and arrogance (for pride and arrogance is what causes mankind to stop fearing God and believe they can sin and not be destroyed by that sin) would be removed. Pray that they would have a humble spirit and a contrite heart to bring about restoration. You don’t want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren’t interested in offerings burned before you on the altar. It is a broken spirit you want—remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore. ~~Psalm 51:16-17 TLB
Use discernment. Is there repentance and a humble spirit? Or are they continuing forward without restoration and repentance? My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns.~~Philippians 1:9-10
Stop supporting them. It sounds harsh, but if they are continuing with their "ministry" without humbling themselves before God for repentance and restoration, they are preaching, teaching, singing, etc in their own strength. Even if they have to go to work at a grocery store for awhile, that is better than losing their salvation and taking many others with them. Also, your entertainment is not as important as their eternal life. Buying their merchandise and/or giving them offerings is not helping them. You are only enabling them to continue in their own strength and believe the deception that they are able to be in sin and be right with God. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ~~2 Corinthians 6:14
Get filled with God's Word. When you are full of the truth of God's Word, you will be far less susceptible to lies and false teachings. Sin and all that goes against God's Will and character will stand out like a neon light to you. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” ~~2 Timothy 2:15-19
How many lost souls will reject God and their salvation through Jesus Christ because of sinful leaders and their followers enabling them to continue as if nothing ever happened? They look at the church today and see nothing in it they want.
The world is watching. We need to show them a better way to live, even if that means rejecting our favorite preacher, teacher or Christian entertainer. Your salvation does not come from them, but from the Lord Jesus. Remember, there is far more at risk than money and followers.
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. ~~James 3:1
Be Blessed,
Arlene
Christians have cultivated a bad reputation with the world precisely because of an epidemic of sinful scandals and loose living among our leadership. They have become far too comfortable with unrepentant sin in our leadership and among our fellow believers. Citizens of the Kingdom of God put obedience to God's Word and representing His Kingdom far above man's reputation and their comfort. While we cannot make our leaders live Godly obedient lives, our responsibility is in how we respond to this disobedience. Our fear of appearing judgmental has tied our hands and taped our mouths from speaking the truth of God's Word in these situations.
Once we are aware of their sin, here are some of our responsibilities when a spiritual leader--pastor, high-profile minister, teacher, prophet or singer--is in sin:
Pray for them. Pray for wisdom, for their eyes to be opened and given a revelation of what they have done. Pray that the Holy Spirit would draw them and bring them to true repentance. Pray that all pride and arrogance (for pride and arrogance is what causes mankind to stop fearing God and believe they can sin and not be destroyed by that sin) would be removed. Pray that they would have a humble spirit and a contrite heart to bring about restoration. You don’t want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren’t interested in offerings burned before you on the altar. It is a broken spirit you want—remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore. ~~Psalm 51:16-17 TLB
Use discernment. Is there repentance and a humble spirit? Or are they continuing forward without restoration and repentance? My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns.~~Philippians 1:9-10
Stop supporting them. It sounds harsh, but if they are continuing with their "ministry" without humbling themselves before God for repentance and restoration, they are preaching, teaching, singing, etc in their own strength. Even if they have to go to work at a grocery store for awhile, that is better than losing their salvation and taking many others with them. Also, your entertainment is not as important as their eternal life. Buying their merchandise and/or giving them offerings is not helping them. You are only enabling them to continue in their own strength and believe the deception that they are able to be in sin and be right with God. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ~~2 Corinthians 6:14
Get filled with God's Word. When you are full of the truth of God's Word, you will be far less susceptible to lies and false teachings. Sin and all that goes against God's Will and character will stand out like a neon light to you. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” ~~2 Timothy 2:15-19
How many lost souls will reject God and their salvation through Jesus Christ because of sinful leaders and their followers enabling them to continue as if nothing ever happened? They look at the church today and see nothing in it they want.
The world is watching. We need to show them a better way to live, even if that means rejecting our favorite preacher, teacher or Christian entertainer. Your salvation does not come from them, but from the Lord Jesus. Remember, there is far more at risk than money and followers.
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. ~~James 3:1
Be Blessed,
Arlene
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