Thoughts for Life: #31 Pastoral Indiscretion

C. Peter Wagner relates more from his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"Satan wins significant battles through causing pastoral burnout, but he inflicts immeasurably more damage to the cause of Christ when he influences a pastor to fall through sexual immorality.

Before I go into more detail on this delicate subject, let me just remind us that most American pastors have not nor will they ever fall into sexual immorality while they are in the ministry.

in fact 8 out of 10 have had no overt problems in this area, which by comparison is only half of the number of other church members who have had similar problems.

How many have gone all the way?

A survey by the clergy journal Leadership found that 12 percent of pastors had actually committed adultery.

This means 88 percent have not.

Surveys like this would never have been dreamed of a generation ago.

Elmer Gantry was not looked upon as a realistic protype of anything but a miniscule fringe of American clergy.

Now the picture has changed. I have been dropping news items in a file folder.

I count 26 media reports of sexual immorality on the part of high-profile clergy; almost half of whom I know personally.

A front-page article in the Los Angeles Times carries the head-line, 'Sex Abuse Cases Rock the Clergy: Disclosures of misconduct—a problem hidden for years—are on the rise.'

A nationally syndicated column by the Associated Press announces that 'Sex scandals in higher ranks shake up hierarchies.'

{ Wagner goes on to list a long list of leaders from all areas of ministry that are in this group...}

"Where is it going to stop?

Reporting this makes me angry! I am not angry at my friends who have fallen even though I, along with the rest of the Body of Christ, have been harmed.

I am angry at the enemy who, I feel, is getting away with far too much these days.

We often fail to recognize the depth of the spiritual battle we are fighting.

The enemy knows pastors are beat up; he knows they are vulnerable, and he attacks them at their weakest point.

This is not to say those who have fallen are not themselves guilty and do not have character flaws that need to be repaired through humility, repentance, reconciliation, restoration and holiness.

But I do hope and pray we will learn how to use our spiritual weapons more effectively in putting a stop to these blatant and all too successful attacks of the devil."

Today’s post -#31 Pastoral Indiscretion, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 64-66) By Regal Books

The next post 10/30: #32 Pastors Need Intercession C. Peter Wagner

[3 Google images added]

Let’s pray:

Father, we understand that our pastor(s) are human, and that there are several opportunities for them to yield to various temptations, so unite us to be faithful to pray that You will give them the guidance, support, and good counsel that they need. May we be more faithful to pray for our leaders! They need and appreciate our support on a daily basis. We ask this in the Holy Name of Jesus, amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 119:80 "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I
be not ashamed."

Today’s quote: Nate Stevens – “As I reflect on my life, I notice when my daily Scripture reading is limited or forgotten, or when I become distracted by other things, my heart starts to dry and spiritually harden. I become resistant to the Holy Spirit’s convicting attempts to purify my life. But when I regularly soak up God’s Word, it is much easier to live a life of purity. And when I sin, I more readily confess my sins to God and am much easier to 'clean'”.

Some thoughts today: - When Jesus exposes our sinful desires, remember, the battle is lost when we don't ask Him to help us.

- God will restore to us what the devil has stolen from us, if we look to Him, and obey His Word.

- Our joy comes from our salvation in Christ Jesus.

Thursday's post: #32 Pastors Need Intercession C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post: The Painful Lie Veneal Williams (some words hurt, when talking with someone who's lost a love one)

Sunday's post: Choose Joy Diana Derringer (cancer survivor story)

A popular post: Be Defensive - Keep the Serpent Out!:

Prayer Note #120Guard or protect that which God has entrusted to your care from the subtle encroachment of the serpent.