I recently got the gut-wrenching news that one of my top-three-favorite preachers of all time has stepped down from ministry because of an unnamed sin he committed years ago.
Although I thank God that he has repented and will go through a process of spiritual restoration, it still breaks my heart.
It breaks my heart for him, his family, his church, and the broader kingdom of God—all of which he’s had a great spiritual impact on.
WHAT A MINISTER’S “FALL” MEANS FOR OTHER MINISTERS
It also sobers me as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Temptations are all around us, constantly coming at us through the very phones we hold in our hands.
Sin is “crouching at the door,” ever ready to leap and drag us into its devastating consequences.
Satan is on the prowl to attack and destroy every Christian, but he casts a special evil eye on those who are robbing precious souls from his dark domain and building the bride of Christ up with solid truth from God’s Word.
WHAT A MINISTER’S FALL MEANS FOR THE KINGDOM
When pastors, preachers, and evangelists fall into sin, the reverberations are huge.
Angels weep.
Demons cheer.
Christians become disillusioned.
The Kingdom of God suffers.
In the words of Puritan preacher Richard Baxter, Satan will seek to do the most harm to those who are seeking to do his kingdom the most damage.
So pray for your pastors. Ask God to protect them from sin and to guard them from temptation.
Pray that they may finish the race and complete the task of mobilizing a generation for Jesus (Acts 20:24).
Pray that they will not be disqualified for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:27).
I truly covet your prayers.
I’m reminded of the words of the apostle Peter:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
1 Peter 5:8-9
May we finish well.
