So tired of hearing this news...

IT happened again. Another Leader fell to public sexual temptation and immorality within the last few weeks. I hate it, genuinely hate hearing this news over and over. Since I've started writing this post, I've heard the bad news TWICE in just a few weeks. Both of the recent men were in different areas of the country, different men, different roles, and different ministry capacities. When "this great wickedness and sin against God", (Genesis 39:9) happens, the damage to teens and adults that they spoke to and counseled over the years cannot be measured. For now, I'm not writing to speak about the heartbreak.

Johnny Hunt once said that "Evil loves to cloak itself in HIGH POSITION, RESPECTABILITY AND STATUS." He also reminded us to guard the eye gate, the ear gate and even the gates of the senses (our discernment). In Genesis 39 the enemy came after Joseph in a time of privacy (he was alone in the house) and prosperity (he was in charge of the house).
My purpose in writing must be this: If there is someone out there that is entertaining adulterous thoughts - whether in ministry or not, no matter if a preacher or not. If someone is thinking of acting on adulterous thoughts, falling to temptation and acting out the lust of the flesh - I am writing to that person.
Protection in the armor sense is only good when we put it on. Accountability through Scripture, Godly Mentors and Technological Boundaries are the same - when we don't apply them - good resources lie in the armory, useless and untouched. I sometimes talk freely about the need for protection in this age of hedonistic appetites and I get sideways looks like, "What's the big deal with open source anything...tv, internet, smart phone?" But you would never think twice about a soldier advising you to put on body armor to protect you from a bullet. Why are we so arrogant in thinking that we don't need to protect ourselves by placing boundaries around us if only to widen the possibilities of really living; living at least the way that God wants us to - Truly Free. In the Biblical Sense - boundaries, i.e. protection, helps us to truly live!
I am praying for the families of the men that fell. I am praying for the men too. May they rise again - wiser. Consequences dictate that they can never minister in the same place with those same people, but we should pray that their scars will fade and that forgiveness will be offered and received.
I pray also for those that are looking to the future; Stand Strong Brothers and Sisters. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, " ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."