Hardly a week goes by without a story of a fallen shepherd who has sinned egregiously and brought reproach to his testimony, ministry, and the work of the Lord. It is gut-wrenching to read the stories and know of the fallout that comes from it. This has been happening since the fall of man, but it seems to be accelerating and the damage is great.
How could this happen? Do these men wake up one day and decide they will bring significant harm to themselves spiritually? It is not likely. Of course, some people are unsaved, and their fruit demonstrates this. There are also times when people make poor spiritual decisions in a moment and suffer the consequences from an earthly perspective for a lifetime.
I believe that the majority of shepherds who fall make decisions along the way that leave them vulnerable and in grave spiritual danger. Our spiritual enemy will tempt us to think the little things don’t matter. Song of Solomon 2:15 “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” It is the little foxes that add up over time and ruin the vineyard.
We do not want our lives to be a cautionary tale, a story of what not to do and who not to be. How can we avoid such a fate?
Be prayerful. Ephesians 6:18 “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” Spend time with the Lord in prayer and in the Word, and do not neglect it.
Be on guard. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Be accountable. A lack of accountability may put us in spiritually vulnerable situations where we could easily fall into sin. Be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do, with the people you are supposed to be with. This will go a long way toward spiritual victory. Knowing that we are ultimately accountable to God should motivate us to live for Him. Romans 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
Be wise. Proverbs 3:13-14 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”
Be repentant. We not only repent when we believe, but we are to live humble, repentant lives. Keep a short record of sin. I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Be focused. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
I think ultimately we can live life on the edge of sin, or on the edge of eternity. May God help us to live on the edge of eternity with a hopeful and faith-filled expectation of the things to come.
Father God, help us to walk with you. Lead us not into temptation. Protect us from the enemy and from ourselves. Lead us in the paths of righteousness for your glory.
