Jump Start # 4106

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

I’ve noticed in the news lately a number of “pastors” who have been fired or arrested for inappropriate sexual behavior. Some committed adultery while they were married. Some have been involved in sexual activity with underaged young people. Warren Berkley in one of his books about preachers stated that he knew of more than fifty gospel preachers that had been involved in adultery. I don’t know as a “profession” if preachers have a higher rate of unfaithfulness than attorneys, or athletes or plumbers. Those of the world, who live by the standard of self, aren’t shocked by these things. Those of faith are. We are more shocked by the trouble within our fellowship. Too close to home. They ought to know better. Something is wrong.

Here are some thoughts:

First, the steps toward adultery begin with a heart that is not committed, focused nor intent upon the Lord. Preachers need to listen to their own sermons. What is missing are the daily spiritual habits of faith that keeps one connected and close to the Lord. Our faith can easily turn into a church building, Sunday morning external event that is left at the building when we go home. Sunday worship is just one part of our faith. It is not all of our faith. Those daily disciplines are a must to keep one in the lane that God wants us to be in.

Young Timothy, from our verse today, was to be a model of faith. Young people CAN do it. Speech. Conduct. Love. Faith. Purity. Inside of you, outside of you, alone or with others, your faith in Christ is what must be real, alive and active.

Second, we must realize that the devil knows us. He knows what buttons to push. He is a master at temptation. Away from home. Tired. Late at night. Those are all the proper settings for Satan to start pumping thoughts into our minds that are not wholesome, pure and right. Toss in some movies or videos that we ought not to be watching, and now temptation is pounding on the front door of your heart.

It’s time God’s people become honest, open and aggressive about pornography. It’s tearing hearts away from the Lord, ripping apart marriages and leaving a trail of ruined lives. Pornography is NOT grounds for divorce, even though some around us are proclaiming that. Yet, that does not mean porn is innocent and ok. It’s not OK. And, stats now show that women are into porn about as much as men are.

Paul told the Corinthians, “We are taking every thought captive for the obedience of Christ.” The Philppians were told to let their minds dwell upon what was pure. Impure actions come from minds that are thinking impurities. The battle for faithfulness sexually begins with the battle within our minds. Allowing yourself to become weak spiritually not only hurts yourself, but it hurts your family and it hurts the congregation. Be strong, the Ephesians were told. Resist the devil, is what James said.

Recognize the moments when you are vunerable. Know when the devil is coming after you. Wars are rarely won by one single battle. It’s a series of skirmishes. One after another. Keep yourself pure today.

Third, don’t put yourself in situations that will compromise your faith. Don’t do that. Preachers, if a woman wants to talk with you, include someone else. Meet in a public place. Tell others what you are doing. Give no reason for someone to question what you are doing. Being naïve, clueless or thinking nothing would ever happen is just the way Satan wants you to be. Take that away from him. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. I’d much rather others think that I am an old fuddy duddy than to come across as a flirt. But that’s not enough. Others may come flirting towards you. And, here is where I believe many of the preachers and “pastors” of the world get into trouble. We love attention. Tell us how great we are. Feed the ego. And, like that, we drop our guard and love the praise and adoration that comes our direction. Like screaming fans at their favorite rock stars, preachers who are not settled in their faith nor understand their role in the kingdom, are swooned into the arms of someone that they are not married to. Deep inside they know this is wrong, but they don’t get that kind of attention at home. A moment crosses the line of decency and right and wrong and just like that sin takes place. Satan smiles and the deception, lies and cover up begins.

Long before any of this happened, humbleness was lost. Some preach because of the thrill that they get each week from members fanning over them. Their heads swell because they have believed that they have become the greatest thing since the apostles. The problem is not sexuality. It is understanding that you are just one of God’s  many tools. You can’t walk on water. You are not one of the chosen. You are just one avenue to help people see Jesus. Instead of hiding behind the cross, some have come out and stood in front of the cross. We now can’t see the cross because the preacher is standing in front of it. All we see is the preacher.

Humble yourself. Quite thinking about yourself and focus upon the Lord. These things are a faith issue.

May we do better. It begins at home. It begins in our hearts.

Roger