So many have ended up falling away from Christianity because they see those whom they think are mature in the faith doing things that are abominable—or even more secular than non-believers. This includes pastors, church elders, and people held in high esteem in the church.These observers have a valid reason to doubt Christianity itself when those they look up to fail to practice the very things they preach. It is truly a disgraceful thing. That is why Christ warned us against such people when He said:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Christianity Is Bigger Than One Leader
You can’t leave the country simply because the local leader in your area is corrupt. The country is much bigger than just your local area—and so is Christianity.
If the person you look up to in the faith is doing things contrary to the faith, it is only a reflection of what is happening inside them. Sometimes God permits these one-off scenarios of public shaming and exposure of prominent religious figures to show each of us that whoever claims to be close to Him must be aligned with His will—not praising Him with their lips while their heart is far from Him.
For He has promised that whatever is inside will eventually come out. Yes, if you draw close to Him, whatever is on the inside will be made known on the outside. This should serve as a solemn warning to every one of us: If you are drawing closer to Him, get ready for whatever private sins or deeds you are hiding on the inside to eventually be exposed.
The Upside and Downside of Exposure
This is both the upside and the downside. It is normally for the greater good that God exposes those who sin privately. Yet sometimes this very news can demotivate those who aspire to join the faith, because the people they hoped were righteous appear no better than the heathen—sometimes even worse.That is why Christ also warns:
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”
There is a price for following Christ. If you are not willing to pay it, it is better not to follow Him in the first place.
A Personal Word to the Sincere Seeker
This message is for you who genuinely want to know Christ and make Him your Lord and Savior. He will be all that you need Him to be, but you must draw close to Him. This happens through commitment and death to the flesh. His grace will sustain you, so do not feel too weak or sinful to draw near. Initiate the commitment by saying “no” to the flesh, and His grace will strengthen you all the way through.
Remember, those we consider righteous in Scripture were not righteous by their own strength. The disciples were mere men who battled sin just like you, yet they were strengthened and led by the Spirit. He sustained them—not their personal strength.
Final Encouragement
So do not let those who have failed to yield the fruit of the Spirit discourage you from pressing on. And do not think that every Christian eventually falls. No. We are all struggling in one way or another, but by holding on, resisting the urge to fall, and most definitely by His grace, we are sustained and still standing.
Don’t forget: “By their fruits you shall know them.” This is the filter between real Christians and mere talkers. If your local church leader is not bearing fruit in accordance with the Holy Spirit, you are under the wrong person. If those in your Christian circle are not yielding the fruit of the Holy Spirit, you have the wrong friends. If your church is not yielding fruits according to the will of God, you are in the wrong place.
Seek Christ for yourself. Stay rooted in His Word. Discern wisely—and keep drawing closer.
