“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15 (ESV)
When a leader falls it didn’t happen overnight! It’s not like they wake up in the morning saying I’m going to destroy my life, my marriage, make a mockery of the name of Jesus and cause many people to step away from the faith because of me! The surfacing of their sin was most likely years in the making. And just because it’s news to us, the offense has been going on for quite a while. And the impact of their sin becoming public will have long lasting deep ramifications. In this hour with approximately half of pastors would like to leave their ministries if they could, our pastors need our prayer! I know many pastors feel trapped, weary and tired. I know of one pastor who recently wrote up a ”mock” letter of resignation. Though he threw it away, it did express the desperateness he is feeling. I know of other pastors who have succumbed to the temptation and their sin was their way of escape. I know others who have simply not dealt with hidden lusts and secret sins, and these too will mature and give birth to public sin, and death!
When a leader falls, the height of their fall, brings much carnage. James 3:1 says that judgment on teachers is much stricter and this is because of their influence and responsibility. Their sin hurts the church, those who have been led and taught by that leader.
Please use this as a prompt to diligently pray for your pastor and leaders at your church. Ask God to graciously expose hidden sin and secret things in their lives, for these will mature and bring forth death if not dealt with. Ask God to grant them a grace to draw near to Him in their desperateness, instead withdrawing into their hidden weaknesses and sin. Ask God to strengthen your pastor with a new wind of endurance, stamina and perspective. May a wave of purity and repentance sweep through your church. Cry out for God to do just that. And ask Him to do it across our city as well!
