“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (NIV)
If you are in a church where it is being preached it is ok to sin, run from there. Seeds of deception and defilement are being sown in such places. Pastors create the atmosphere and set the spiritual tone for the congregation. Paul was clear that in the last days people will abandon their faith and follow after doctrines inspired by demons (1 Timothy 4:1).
When the pulpit communicates it’s ok to have sex outside of the marriage covenant, run (Hebrews 13:4)! Or when it’s ok to marry same gender couples, run (Romans 1:24-32)! When the pulpit says God loves you and is pleased with you no matter what you do, run! It’s great to say come as you are, but we cannot give permission to stay that way.
There is a hyper grace movement that equates God’s love with His pleasure. They say God loves you and is pleased with you no matter what you do! Nope! God’s holy standard is never lessened to express His love. His love does not fluctuate, but He never finds pleasure when we sin. There is a reason He calls us to holiness.
Btw, pastors are not above their congregations. They actually have a higher level of responsibility and much more is expected from them. Pastors need to walk in a higher level of holiness, they do not have license to sin!
Also, pastors are called to shepherd with integrity, humility and love. They are commissioned to preach the full word of God, and have authority and anointing to do so. And when this is abused, they will be held accountable to it. All that to say, if your pastor is promoting sin and compromise, run. Otherwise, honor them, pray for them and soak up what they have impart to you!
So please pray for your pastor! Ask God to grant them a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better and more intimately (Ephesians 1:17). Ask God to grant them a greater love for the Word, its power to expose and its authority to transform our lives (Hebrews 4:12-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Ask God to anoint the preaching of the word to bring salvation, to set the captives free, to bring light into the darkness, to provide comfort for those who are hurting, and conviction to those who are in sin (Isaiah 61:1-3a). Ask God to release a holy fear, an awe of the Lord in your pastor’s life as that releases greater wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).
