During a recent online interview, a dear friend of mine named John Fenn, of Church Without Walls International, said we should not rejoice when leaders fall, but realize, “but for the grace of God, there go I.” In other words, we should consider our own inclination towards the weakness and frailties of the flesh, as Paul warned in Galatians (Galatians 5:22; 6:1).
Jesus also warned us of this propensity toward weakness and sin without His grace (Luke 18:8-14; John 15:4-5; 2 Corinthians 12:9). He knows our hearts desire is to please God, and to do His will, but He cautioned that without prayer and grace we will likely fall into temptation (Matthew 6:13; Galatians 6:1).
Have you ever lost your temper, worried, said something you regretted, overate, lied, coveted someone else’s things, had a hateful or bad thought towards someone, gossiped, been unthankful, lazy, or unkind? Maybe you did not plan to fall into these wrong attitudes or behaviors, but you did (Romans 7:22-25).
You then realized how much you depend on the Lord to help you overcome your own flaws and weaknesses. You became aware you were not as holy as you thought you were (in yourself) and needed
the mercy and grace of God just like others (Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 2:8; 3:8).
So, what should we do when leaders fall into a moral failure, and their sin is exposed? First of all, we should examine our own hearts to be sure we are not rejoicing but instead grieving for the Body of Christ, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the brother or sister who has fallen. Then we should make sure we are not guilty of the same sins. Paul rebuked the Jewish leaders at Rome when he wrote:
17) Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18) and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19) and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
21) You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22) You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23) You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24) For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," as it is written. Romans 2:17-24
Paul was basically saying those that teach God’s word should also live by it as examples. To whom much is given, much is required. This is why scandals in the Body of Christ have such a negative impact on the church and the world. God’s Name is blasphemed when leaders fall and are exposed, as with king David.
12) For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.' " 13) So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14) However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." (2 Samuel 12:12-14).
Several years ago, a very prominent ministry leader was exposed for his moral failure. Another very well-known TV evangelist publicly and harshly denounced this man for his sin and failure.
Shortly afterward this, the national news reported the evangelist was caught with a prostitute on more than one occasion. His secret sin was exposed and though he went through some restoration, and marital counseling, his ministry shrunk and never recovered the same national or global impact.
As we see in scripture, there are times the discipline of the Lord seems more severe (such as in Acts 5), but His ways are always perfect, just, and righteous. Judgement always begins at the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). The Lord first exposes sin in the Church, then deals with world leaders and those outside (Acts 12:20-23).
Be Careful of the Stones You Throw
There is an old song that became a hit in the late 1960’s by a group called The Staple Singers. It was called “Be Careful Of The Stones
You Throw.”
The main lyrics of the song were: “A tongue can accuse and carry bad news. Gossip is cheap and it’s low. So unless you’ve made no mistakes in your life, just be careful of the stones that you throw!”
When leaders fall, we must learn to pray for God’s redemptive purposes to be realized when possible. Then we should examine our own hearts. Are we missing it in some area? Are we being disobedient in something the Lord has patiently asked us to change? Have you criticized someone else for a minor flaw, only to find yourself stumbling in a much greater way? (Luke 6:41-42)
The Lord always gives us space to repent before we are sternly judged (Revelations 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:31) but when we are chastised it is for our profit.
5) And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR BE DISCOURAGED WHEN YOU ARE REBUKED BY HIM; 6) FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
7) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8) But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9) Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10) For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5-11
Mercy rejoices over judgement (Hosea 6:6; James 2:13). When leaders fall and their sin is exposed, let us be quick to seek the Father for not only His righteousness to be revealed, but His mercy to be poured out into the situation, while examining our own heart.
In summary, God is light. He illuminates the heart. If leaders (or any
of us) fail to align with His revealed truth and repent, He will allow exposure from one degree to another. The first degree may be a spouse or family member. Then a brother or sister in Christ. Finally, the exposure may go public with all sorts of unnecessary hurt, confusion, and damage to others, as we have recently witnessed.
Each one of us must learn to walk humbly and soberly before the Lord, as He exposes areas in our own lives that need correction and realignment. He is merciful and wants to give us space to repent and to renew our minds to His ways (Romans 12:1-2). His ultimate desire is for us to be partakers of His holiness and divine nature (Hebrews 12:10; 2 Peter 1:4).
New subject next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 10/02/2024