News flash: pastors are people too. Just like all Christians, pastors are tempted with many of the usual enticements of this world. Though this should never be used as an excuse for sin, it is an important reality to remember, especially in view of the recent news out of Colorado Springs. The much-publicized moral failure of well-known pastor Ted Haggard highlights the need for the church to learn to relate in more healthy way with the real people that pastors are.
However, before I go any further, let me state unequivocally that what Ted Haggard did was wrong and sinful, and it was appropriate, by his own admission, that He be removed from his ministry.
In his letter of departure from his church, Ted Haggard wrote something intriguing. He indicated that, though he had accountability partners to help him overcome temptation, he let pride and shame keep him from being honest with them, and so the power of the temptation grew until he sinned. Interesting, isn’t it? He was ashamed that he was tempted, so he quit talking about his temptations, and eventually gave in to them.
The question naturally arises: why would anyone be ashamed of being tempted? After all, being tempted is not the same as giving in to the temptation. Temptation is when we sense an opportunity or an urge to sin. Scripture says that everyone is tempted, and that includes Jesus Himself during His earthly ministry. Indeed, Hebrews 4:12 says, “He was tempted in every way that we are, but He didn't sin.” Clearly, temptation to sin is not the same as sin itself.
Why do some folks seem ashamed that they are tempted? I don’t know for certain, but, I do know why some pastors won’t talk about their temptations: they’re afraid if they admit to being tempted they may be considered weak or somehow flawed. They wonder whether their admission of being tempted will turn into a church-wide object of gossip rather than being kept a confidential subject of prayer. They may even think that, because church leaders must aspire to a higher standard (see James 3:1), some will criticize them because they haven’t “gotten over that” by now.
However, the point here is not so much to analyze pastors, but rather to learn to deal with temptation in a healthy way BEFORE it leads to sin. Imagine the victory we would enjoy if we could say to a fellow Christian, “I’m struggling with a particular temptation. Would you pray for me?” How healthy it would be if pastors could discuss their temptations with a few other Christians, to objectify the temptation, reveal the schemes of the Tempter, and thus prevent sin before it takes place. Indeed, how beneficial it would be if all of us would pray for each other about our temptations, lest we give in to them!
Yes, pastors are people. Though that doesn’t excuse it when they sin, it does remind us that they, like all Christians, need the freedom to share their temptations and ask for prayer.
Could your pastor ask you for this kind of prayer?
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3 comments:
One problem is that some temptations are too shamefull to talk about. People can't seperate sin from the person. If I was to admit I was hurt by a person and wanted to kill them, I would never be looked at in the same way again.
Many young men consider suicide. Why?
Pastors rarely break the law. Their sin (the one that makes them step down) is often of sexual nature. Why? It says something about how we work.
Rather than just locking up criminals, more work needs to be done learning why they do what they do.
Yes, I reckon that is a good point about accountability partners. You can have as many as you want but unless you are accountable to your own concience & your concience is informed by the Word, they are not much good.
jonny, why are "some temptations too shameful to talk about," as you state? I think it would be far better to tell a praying brother in Christ, "I'm tempted with thoughts of suicide. Would you pray for me, and let me call you when the temptation arises?" than to go ahead and attempt to kill oneself.
And . . .
phil, your concern is spot on! If one is willing to deceive oneself and quench the Holy Spirit, then I guess one would be willing to deceive an accountability partner as well.
I guess the whole point of the column is to help us all remember that the devil is bringing heavy temptation to pastors, and each pastor needs a couple of men who can pray with him about ANY temptation without being "shocked" or disappointed. In response to the situation with Ted Haggard, two brothers in the church have come to me and said something like this: "Pastor John, I am available 24/7 if you need to talk with me about ANY temptation. Nothing you could ever be tempted with would make me think less of you. I know the devil is targeting pastors and sending extreme temptations their way, and I want you to stay clean, so I'll stand by you." I can't tell you how gratifying and wonderful that was!
BTW, thanks to both of you for your comments! They've doubled the total number of responses this blog has had! :-)
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