The Bible is the infallible Word from God and it is written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Every word, every phrase, every command, and every promise is God's pure truth for our lives. One verse that keeps slipping the minds of many men is found in Numbers 32:23, "But if ye will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out." In our age of hyper-grace and distant personal accountability we have discovered the true meaning of this verse with the epidemic tsunami of moral failures one after another from mega-church preachers to local 50 member congregations not only here in America but around the world. As a warning and guard to recheck your personal lives here are 6 consequences of dealing with sexual sin publicly.
1.) Major Depressive Disorder Occurs. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depressive disorder is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. If God has called you to minister in a public way, either its in front of a Bible study group or in front of a large conference as a speaker, take heed to knowing that any form of joy will be eradicated from your life if sexual sin is exposed publicly by not dealing with it privately.
2.) Ruptured Relationships Privately & Publicly. When a life lived and portrayed is exposed to be false as in sexual sin then family, friends, peers, co-laborers, and public acquaintances flee from the vile smell of sin's result which is death. No one wants to be in a relationship with a hypocrite. Search your hearts to ask the Lord to remove any roots of hidden sins.
3.) We Become Arsonists to our Credibility. I know many have heard about fires being started by criminals called arsonists. They set buildings, stores, cars, and houses on fire for the sole purpose of bringing destruction to the owner or those living in it. Not dealing with sexual sin before the Lord will result in your own hands setting spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological "fire" to everything you had built to that time. Be accountable to mentors in your life.
4.) Lifetime of Regret. We can be restored, forgiven, and given new chances to rebuilt our reputation and relationships but the lingering thought of the damage done is difficult to erase from a heart. Many times marriages result in divorce, ordination revoked, ministry taken away, and even financial payments needed to be made for restitution. The Lord wants our hearts and he must be the King of our lives. Save yourself future pain and live clean before the Lord.
5.) We Flame Persecution on Christians. Yes, that's right. Christians have enough persecution to deal with in the world and dealing with sexual sin publicly flames the burden of even more persecution on Christians. How many pastors, youth leaders, counselors, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers have given the body of Christ extra weight to carry? Every time a moral failure occurs every Christian must continue to take time away from building the kingdom to defending the faith because the mockery of "Christian Leaders" has been blasted on every media channel that exists today. Just STOP it! Your private pleasure is not worth millions of faithful believers to take time to stop building the kingdom.
6.) Children, Teens, Young Adults Subconsciously Model Your Behavior. It's one thing to say I didn't mean to hurt someone or I never wanted this to happen but it's another to realize that a generation of young people will subconsciously think it is okay to do the same. If we are fighting for purity, abstinence, and sex for marriage then you will not only destroy your own life but the lives of thousands of others. Deep down someone thinks that pastor or that leader got caught but I will not get caught. Enough is enough. Zip your pants up for the sake of future generations. Inspire the next generation to live holy because it starts with you.
Here are links to recent examples of the consequences of dealing with sexual sin publicly:
3 Calls To Action:
1.) Stay Accountable. Find mentors to talk about struggles and don't hide from your weaknesses.
2.) Intentionally Ask for Resources. Too often we have big heads and small hearts. We think we know everything there is to know about all subjects especially about the ones we struggle with. Be intentional in seeking resources and the Lord will order your steps.
3.) Be Mature in Friendships. Its easy to find friends who adore you and want to hear the next greatest thing from you. Find friends who will be a Barnabas in your life. He will encourage but also reprove when needed. Be balanced in picking friendships. You want to grow not sink.
Twitter: @PaulMuzichuk
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