Pitfalls in Christian Ministry - Part 3

The third danger that lurks a successful christian leader or pastor is the insensitivity to sin. During the initial formative days, the conscience is very sensitive towards sin. But as the years go by, a small lie becomes alright. Sudden outburst of anger is normal. Financial accountability is for the others. Cheating by exceptions is justified. Illicit relationships are acceptable. The list goes on. God's saving grace is taken for granted. Strangely these are the people who speak strongly against such deeds.

This point is well illustrated in the life of King David. Remember in 1 Sam 24:5 - Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. Cutting a piece of cloth from Saul's robe pricked his conscience. What a tender heart. But notice the regression. As he fought the battles, as he became king and when he was established, one would have expected his conscience to become more sharper of not have the same level of tenderness. Regrettably it was not so. In the Bathsheba incident, covetousness did not bother him, adultery did not convict him and cold blooded murder did not hound him. In fact breaking three of the ten commandments did not amount to an offense. The same man who feared God with such "fear and trembling" now follows a different standard.

But God's laws remain the same and true. Numbers 32:23 -“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out." David was found out and he repented. How many great man of God these days have trodden down the same slippery road, only to find that "God is no respecter of persons."

Some of the consequences of losing the sensitivity to sin:
  1. Sin will find you out - Achan, David
  2. Removed from Office - Saul
  3. Immediate family affected - David, Eli
  4. Next generation affected - Eli,
  5. Church destroyed/split - Countless examples.
  6. Shame and rejection
May God help us that we will learn from the mistakes of the others and not become a negative teaching aid ourselves.

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