Reflections on Pastor Steve Lawson's Fall

I've looked up to him for years and have been so impacted by his powerful preaching of God's Word, I listen to the expositors podcast, I'm always right there when one passion drops a video, G3 is on my bucket list…To hear of his fall into temptation and sin… it's just devastating. 

But as much as it pains me to see this happen to someone I respect so much, I have to remember that none of us are immune to the enemy's schemes. Even the most godly among us can stumble if we're not careful.

The hard truth is, temptation is something we all face in this fallen world. Like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind." Being a pastor or spiritual leader doesn't make you exempt. If anything, those in ministry have an even bigger target on their backs.

James really nails it in chapter 1 when he describes how temptation works: "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." It's a slippery slope that can quickly spiral out of control if we entertain those desires.

So how do we as believers safeguard ourselves against falling into the same trap? God's Word gives us some key principles:

1. Run the other way. When temptation comes knocking, flee from it! As 2 Timothy 2:22 says, "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace." Don't stick around and try to resist in your own strength.
2. Stay alert and pray up. Remember what Jesus told His disciples in Gethsemane? "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." We've got to keep our guard up and lean hard on the Lord through prayer. 
3. Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 tells us plainly, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The more we stay in step with the Holy Spirit, the more power we'll have to say no to sin.

when one of our leaders falls, it's easy to lose heart. But even in the pain and brokenness, we have to cling to the hope of the gospel. 1 Peter 2:24 is such a beautiful reminder: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

No matter how far we've fallen, the blood of Jesus is more than enough to cleanse us and make us right with God again, if we repent. 1 John 1:9 gives us that assurance. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Now, this doesn't mean there won't still be consequences to face. The Bible is clear that our sin can impact generations. Exodus 34:7 warns that God visits "the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." The ripple effects of our transgressions can impact generations. All the more reason to walk in holiness and integrity.

So in times like this I need to keep my eyes locked on Jesus. May thsi be a wake-up call for us to be more vigilant, to lean harder on God's grace, and to recommit to purity with everything in us.

In Christ, there is always forgiveness, restoration, and hope on the other side of failure. Proverbs 24:16 says, "for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." By God's strength, may we rise above temptation and live in a way that brings our Father glory. He's worth it.

Clinging to grace,

Manuel