{"id":7501,"date":"2024-06-20T10:01:04","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T17:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/?p=7501"},"modified":"2024-06-20T10:01:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T17:01:04","slug":"7-reasons-why-christian-leaders-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/7-reasons-why-christian-leaders-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Reasons Why Christian Leaders Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/shaneidleman.com\/2019\/11\/11\/comedians-pastors-politicians-7-reasons-why-christian-leaders-fall\/\">By Pastor Shane Idleman<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ex-Pastor at Gateway Church Responds to Robert Morris Scandal\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PWawzm11P74?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In light of many prominent pastors and Christian leaders falling from grace, I decided to re-release this article from a few years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In addition to reading the article below, watch&nbsp;these two short videos on \u2013 7 reasons why leaders (and Christians) fall:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part 1:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AKPHeq7X_EY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/<wbr>watch?v=AKPHeq7X_EY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part 2:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuKU0PqHbFM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/<wbr>watch?v=xuKU0PqHbFM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why do they fall? They fall for the same reason that all Christians fall. Each of us are drawn away by our own evil desires and enticed. When these desires are acted upon, they lead to sin (cf. James 1:14-15). Sin has a life cycle\u2014it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. John Owen, the prolific Puritan author wrote, \u201cBe killing sin, or sin will be killing you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider the following ways that sin gains entrance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. \u201cIt will never happen to me.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us that if we think that we are standing firm, we should be careful that we don\u2019t fall. \u201cPride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall\u201d (Proverbs 16:18). Pride says, \u201cI\u2019ve never committed adultery. It will never happen to me.\u201d Humility says, \u201cBy the grace of God, I haven\u2019t, but I can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strength is found in admitting our weaknesses: \u201cFor when I am weak I am strong\u201d (2 Corinthians 12:10). Pride opens the door to compromise and unwise decisions; it ignores conviction. Conviction is not always a hammer to the head, it\u2019s a still small voice to the heart. Sadly, many confuse God\u2019s patience with His approval. C.H. Spurgeon rightly noted, \u201cWe are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. I\u2019m \u201ctoo busy.\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;We are all susceptible to putting God second and ministry first. If we\u2019re too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first\u2014we\u2019re too busy. Men would live better if they prayed better. We\u2019re often too busy because we\u2019re doing too much. \u201cWhen faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live\u201d (E.M. Bounds). It\u2019s hard to fall when you\u2019re always on your knees. Moral failing cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart that spends time in the Word and obedience to it (cf. James 1:22). Nine times out of ten, when a leader falls, he or she has no meaningful prayer or devotional life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Holiness is compromised.<\/strong>&nbsp;The enemy attempts to draw us away from God\u2019s holy standard. I vividly remember a story of a young boy who kept falling out of his bed. He finally asked his mother why he kept falling. She wisely answered, \u201cIt\u2019s because you don\u2019t stay far enough in.\u201d In the same way, many of us fall back into sin because we don\u2019t get far enough into God\u2019s framework of safety and protection via holiness. In the words of Isaac Watts, \u201cTrue Christianity, where it reigns in the heart, will make itself appear in the purity of life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of all the attributes of God described in the Bible, holiness is seen most often. Holiness is a vital weapon of defense against the enemies attack (cf. Ephesians 6:14). But holiness must come from brokenness and humility not legalism. A low view of holiness always damages morality . . . we rationalize instead of repent. I\u2019m convinced that today\u2019s media plays a significant role in the decline of holiness. Sadly, Hollywood, not the Holy Spirit, influences many. We cannot fill our mind with darkness all week and expect the light of Christ to shine in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Many build unhealthy relationships with the opposite sex.<\/strong>&nbsp;We must be on high alert in this area and have tremendous steps of accountability in place. The devil doesn\u2019t show those involved in counseling appointments, inner office meetings, and private \u201cfellowship\u201d the pain and anguish and the years of regret that moral failure brings; he deceives them with a false sense of freedom in ministry . . . that we are simply \u201chelping\u201d the other person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are married and attracted to another person, or if the potential is there, take steps now and remove yourself from the environment. Adultery begins with small compromises. We\u2019re often too smart to take deliberate plunges, but we\u2019re easily enticed to take one step at a time, one compromise at a time, one bad choice at a time until we\u2019re at the bottom. Don\u2019t fight sexual desires; don\u2019t entertain them . . . flee (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. We fail to strengthen weak areas.<\/strong>&nbsp;The demands of life often tempt us to seek gratification in alcohol and other things. We must be on high alert. The enemy uses \u201copportune times\u201d to draw us away from God. (cf. Luke 4:13.) The line is so thin that it is often hard to determine when we cross over. Weak areas such as drugs, alcohol, pain meds, sex, anger, marriage issues, and so on are \u201copportune times\u201d for the enemy to strike. We must expose these areas through repentance, and install safeguards and accountability. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Accountability is often breached or minimized.<\/strong>&nbsp;Accountability is a safeguard, but its not bullet-proof. Accountability, by itself, doesn\u2019t work\u2014it\u2019s not realistic to ask others to hold you accountable. Your heart must be focused on honoring God\u2019s Word. Accountability simply adds another level of security in the battle against sin. It\u2019s healthy to say to those we trust, \u201cI\u2019m struggling in this area. Can you pray with me and ask the hard questions from time to time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The enemy loves to work in darkness and deceit. Exposing cracks in the armor helps others keep an eye on them as well. This is one reason why I\u2019m upfront about avoiding addictions. My new book,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shaneidleman1.wpengine.com\/books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HELP! I\u2019m Addicted<\/a>&nbsp;was just released for this very reason. Please share the free download links with those who need help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also have accountability software that sends all websites visited to my wife\u2019s email every week. This is a major deterrent and it makes me very conscious of even seemingly innocent sites. To some, this may seem extreme, but we need to be armed for the enemy who steals, kills, and destroys. The greater our influence, the greater the need for accountability: spiritually, financially, and relationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. Loneliness becomes an excuse.<\/strong>&nbsp;Ministry is hard and can easily take it\u2019s toll. Feeling a sense of entitlement if often the beginning of justifying wrong choices. We can easily become jealous and judgmental of those who seem to have \u201call the fun.\u201d As Oswald Chambers states: \u201cGod buries His men [and women] in the midst of paltry things, no monuments are erected to them; they are ignored, not because they are unworthy, but because they are in the place where they cannot be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luke 16:10 should be a great encouragement, \u201cSo you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, \u2018We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty\u2019.\u201d Sin can be silenced in a thankful heart set on worshiping God. God has given us the privilege to serve Him, proclaim His truth, and help others. Don\u2019t allow frustration and negativity to lead you down the wrong path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In closing, if you are on the cliff or have already fallen, take time now and repent. It will hurt, but the fruit of repentance far outweighs the fruit of exposure that will surely come (cf. Numbers 32:23). God\u2019s grace will see you through. A penitent person turns from sin. They accept full responsibility for their actions without blame, resentment, or bitterness. They seek forgiveness without conditions and stipulations. They take full (not partial) responsibility for their actions. There can be no \u201cbut\u2019s\u201d when repentance is genuine. \u201cI am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me,\u201d are often (although not always) healing words and signs of repentance. Excuses need to stop before healing can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are consequences for past mistakes, but it\u2019s best to live in God\u2019s healing arms of forgiveness, rather than to live broken outside of His will. Which way will you turn?<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rss\"><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/remnantnews.podbean.com\/e\/the-isaiah-blueprint-the-todd-coconato-show\/'>The Isaiah Blueprint | The Todd Coconato Show<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/remnantnews.podbean.com\/e\/rededicate-250-is-america-turning-back-to-god-the-todd-coconato-show\/'>Rededicate 250: Is America Turning Back To God? | The Todd Coconato Show<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/remnantnews.podbean.com\/e\/stop-them-from-destroying-us-%E2%80%A2-fire-power\/'>STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING US \u2022 Fire Power!<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/remnantnews.podbean.com\/e\/night-of-miracles-when-heaven-invades-earth\/'>Night of Miracles: When Heaven Invades Earth<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/remnantnews.podbean.com\/e\/what-is-remnant-revival-%E2%80%A2-friday-service\/'>What Is Remnant Revival? \u2022 Friday Service<\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Pastor Shane Idleman In light of many prominent pastors and Christian leaders falling from&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151,"featured_media":7502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-remnant-news"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77.png",1080,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-300x300.png",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-768x768.png",640,640,true],"large":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-1024x1024.png",640,640,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77.png",1080,1080,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77.png",1080,1080,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-1080x715.png",1080,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-800x500.png",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-1024x1024.png",1024,1024,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-540x340.png",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/Untitled-design-77-400x250.png",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/author\/admin\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/category\/remnant-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Remnant News<\/a>","tag_info":"Remnant News","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/151"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7501"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7503,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7501\/revisions\/7503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}