When we lived in California, Larry and I sometimes attended the evening services of a church other than our home church. The pastor knew the scriptures inside and out and used them to expose the worldly ideas promoted by our culture. After we left California, we heard him speak at a church in Oklahoma. I commented to Larry he seemed different. Kind of cocky.
I still ordered his teaching tapes and followed his ministry. Then I learned he’d resigned from his church. Tragically, this brilliant leader had stepped into another kind of trap. He’d become emotionally involved with a woman who’d come to him for help.
His failing not only betrayed his wife, church, and family, he betrayed his community and all who followed his teaching. I grieved as though a close friend had died. How could someone who accurately handled the word of God fall so far?
The Apostle Paul knew how it felt to lose a trusted companion to the world. Both John Mark and Demas deserted him at different times. He wrote,
So watch yourself! The person who thinks he can stand against sin had better watch that he does not fall into sin” (1 Cor. 10:12 NLV).
While we don’t know if Demas returned, another defector, John Mark did. So did the California pastor. He continues to serve the Lord today. It is not enough to know the truth. We must guard our hearts and live connected to the One who is Truth.
Join me over at BibleStudyTools.com for: “Who Was Demas and What Do We Learn from His Errors?”
Help to Recognize and Resist Worldly Ideas
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ” (Col. 2:8 NLT).
Last week Brian and Denita Thomas did a wonderful job helping us look at some current issues through a biblical lens. I learned so much about the religious aspect behind the ideas that are disrupting our culture. I forgot to push record until after I’d introduced them. Here is the link to their talk. Their bios follow below.
Biography
Brian and Denita Thomas have been married for 14 years. They are the founders of God 1st Bible Fellowship, whose mission is to encourage individuals to put God 1st while viewing life through the window of the Bible by placing emphasis on apologetics, eschatology, and the significance of the nation of Israel in light of current events. They host The God 1st Program, a podcast that airs each Saturday on The Truth Network radio station.
Brian is an ordained minister and holds a B.A. in Mathematics, minor in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He has made television appearances on networks such as Daystar, NRB (National Religious Broadcasters), The Church Channel, GEB (Golden Eagle Broadcasting), and Family Vision networks.
Denita serves as the administrator and graphic designer for the ministry. She also serves as a Knowing God Ministries team member. Denita has a BA in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom and homeschooler of their two kids, ages 10 and 12.
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ” (Col. 2:8 NLT). #RefreshingFaith Share on XClick here to comment.
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There are two important aspects for walking in the world. We must know the truth, and we must stay connected to the One who is the #truth. #RefreshingFaith Share on XBlessings,
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Amen Ms. Debbie. I call pride a “root sin”, and when we start believing we can stand against this world on our own, we learn quickly how much we need God in our lives. Was so very glad to learn that your pastor friend overcame his sin and, that like John Mark, he was reconciled to God.
Me too. J.D. Jesus heals and restores! Hallelujah!
Such a very important and timely warning for us all!!!
I agree. Thanks for reading, Ann!
Debbie, a sobering reminder of how pride becomes a slippery slope; none of us are exempt from its powers. Good practical advice here, thank you!
Thank you, Donna!
A cocky preacher is such a turnoff to the world as well as to fellow Christians. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for a popular pastor to keep his humility if he has others surrounding him with adulation, but humility is one of the core traits of Jesus. Fighting my own pride is a hard enough battle and I don’t have throngs of people cheering me on as “special.” 🙂 Thanks for sharing this, Debbie.
I think you’re special, Lisa! Thanks for reading and sharing.
The sad fact is this problem is more prevalent in the church than we like to think. It is hard to understand how someone who was so grounded in scripture could fall for these lies. This shows us our only hope against temptation is to be grounded in the real truth that God loves us. When we abide in Him we can hold on to the security of His protection for our souls. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Barbara. There is no substitute for abiding in Him.
Debbie,
No one is immune to the world’s influence. We’ve been members of two different churches whose lead pastors succumbed to the temptation of adultery. Pride is an insidious sin. To stay humble, we need to stay in His Word in order to resist the tempter’s snare.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, our hearts will betray us. We certainly need the closeness of God and the washing of His word.
When we take our eyes off Jesus and put them on ourselves, we risk falling into the enemy’s trap. Such an important reminder. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Lisa!