In the mid 90′s T.D. Jakes preached a messaged called, THE KING HAS A CRIPPLED CHILD. This message I memorized. It spoke so deeply to me as a teenage boy. I would watch the VHS tape of Bishop Jakes at least once a week for several months.
Bishop Jakes proposed a question in his sweaty, two hour message. “Why do we preach about David so much knowing all of David’s sin?”
Before we answer the question, let’s look at the major areas (the obvious) of sin in David’s life.
Adultery | Lies | Murder | Disobedience | Jealousy | Covetousness | Deceit
We could say this same list applies to many of the Biblical figures in the Old Testament as well as some in the New Testament.
A statement that our pastor, Pete Wilson shared this past Sunday: “Many would not have hired the people of the scripture to be a part of their staff because of their sin and problems.”
So why do we preach about David in lieu of what we know about his character? Why do we preach and hail him as one of our heroes of the faith? Why do we preach about David and strive to be “a man after God’s own heart”?
BECAUSE DAVID IS DEAD
It is easy to preach about dead people. It is easy to honor dead people. That is the human way. There are many preachers today that we will all one day honor that have committed ”crazy sin” (shaun king description) after they have died.
There is another perspective in which we must see. There is another question we must ask.
Bishop Jakes asks in his message:
“We can preach about the sins of dead men, BUT WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE SINS OF LIVING MEN?”
How do we handle the promiscuous preacher? How do we deal with the drug dealing/using preacher? What do we do with a porn addict that preaches freedom to everyone else? How are we going to handle “crazy sin”?
There are a few things that I want to propose, but before I continue with my thoughts, let me interject this: We have a responsibility to live holy as believers/ministers of the gospel. I get it. I do.
Be aware of this truth – WE WANT TO LIVE RIGHT. We want to live better than most, but some of us do not know how. You may not get that – but it is true.
There are some struggles that some of us have had to deal with our entire lives. We have prayed, been through prayer lines, confessed to someone, and done all the things that we are supposed to do – and little has changed. We still struggle with old habits, mindsets, and sin.
Here are a few things to help:
1. As Shaun King suggested, bring the safe places for leaders to notoriety so that leaders know they are available.
2. Give them a break. Realize they are flesh and blood…with a calling. They need rest.
3. Don’t assume your leader is “OK”. Be sensitive to their struggle.
4. If your leader needs to take a LONG break, give it to them and compensate them well.
5. Don’t abandon a struggling leader. Find ways to make it easier for your leader.
6. Pray that your leader comes to a self realization that he or she needs help. Ego is major obstacle.
7. If you are close to your leader – inner circle close – and you see blatant sin, potential for disaster, or whatever – DO NOT SELL THEM OUT. Privately, do all that you can to get them to a SAFE counsel, overseer, or peer. They may despise you for a moment, but they will love you in the end.
I hope these will be “red flags” for you. Please be attentive and sensitive to your leader. All of us struggle in one way or another.
Please read Shaun Kings Blog. It is on target in every way. Follow Shaun on Twitter as well.
