Please be real in every place with the Lord. Let Him lead you 24/7/365 by his grace! This is so important. Remain dependent upon Him!
Evangelists and ministers used to be so respected in our society, but not anymore. You know this. There have unfortunately been a whole lot of big blunders from high and low profile fishers of men and women that have given the Body of Christ a black eye so to speak.
A soul-winner who lives a double life while in ministry denies in their private life what they affirm in their public life. They profess to live for the omniscient and omnipresent God, but they actually deny Him when they are hidden away from people who applaud them.
How do we Christians avoid all appearance of evil when a skeptical watching world is keeping a close eye on us? Some of them sadly seem to hope that we will blow it, stumble, or fall.. so that they in their sin, might find a moment of consolation from their own conscience that has been preaching at them. The worldly certainly aren't praying that you succeed spiritually, but Jesus is pullin' for you.
How do we avoid evil and sin when no human can even see what we are doing? We each must appropriate the holy fear of God by faith and stay accountable to those who are on fire for Christ in the Church. Ask, ask, ASK God for this and then choose life!
Perhaps you remember Mr. Richard Dortch who was the main administrator for the PTL Club which was known internationally as a popular soul-winning TV ministry. Maybe you remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker who led this ministry. Perhaps you also remember later seeing Jimmy Bakker in prison. Tragic! We all can still learn from this.
Mr. Dortch told Christianity Today Magazine after their fall something I don't ever want to forget, "At PTL, there was no time taken for prayer or for family because the show had to go on. We were so caught up in God's work that we forgot about God. It took the tragedy, the kick in the teeth, to bring us to our senses."
The Apostle Paul admonished the believers at Corinth with these words, "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 4:1-2, nkjv).
Has the tail begun to wag the dog where you serve? When we get too busy for time alone with the Word of God we've simply gotten too busy and the first thing to go is the fruit of the Spirit. Help us Lord be people marked by godly character, holiness, and the fruit of the Spirit which is true Love. Help us to hate sin more and love sinners in your righteousness more. We never want to compromise or be self-confident with pride. Our time to shine down here is short, so live BIG inside us and give us a harvest of souls!
The Psalmist wrote, "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much a in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word" (Ps. 119:11-17, nkjv).
Isn't that a wonderful passage? It kind of reminds me of Psalm 1 or Joshua 1:8-9. What are some passages that you can think of where the Word of God in your life is related to your obtaining victory over sin? There are so many all through all the 66 Books! Exciting stuff!
How has your devotional life been going? Are you still taking the time to steal away alone in some corner somewhere to get real honest with the Lord? Do you still memorize and meditate upon His truth as He becomes the Treasure and number one delight of your heart? Was there ever a time in your past where you loved Jesus Christ more than you do right now? If so, you are somewhat backslidden, but the Good News is that you can admit it and quit it and the Holy Spirit will give you a renewed passion to reach your world with His Word. I simply want to encourage you and build you up today! Remember a thrashed worn out Bible due to study and application is a sure sign of a life that's not. This Book (the Bible) will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this Book! Fish4Souls.org
