By[1] “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)
If you have been in the ministry terrain for a while, you may have realised that several pastors are accused daily of preaching virtues but practising vices, usually behind the scenes, which are later exposed. And to tell you the truth, these things happen, and it shouldn’t surprise you when you hear them.
There are two principal scriptures written that explain why these things happen. One of them is found in Luke 12:2-3 (NKJV). He said,
[2] “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. [3] Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”
See that! This spiritual law applies to everyone, not just preachers. But for the sake of this devotional, any preacher who covers up evil in secret, including delicate matters like adultery, fornication, and stealing, only to mention a few, will be exposed, no matter how long that person hides such a practice. That is why it is dangerous to keep gossiping or doing evil things to others in your closet, especially as a believer and minister of the gospel.
The second Bible verse is Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV), where the Bible says,
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
My emphasis is on “… and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” That means, as believers, there is at least one kind of sin in each person’s life capable of entrapping us in guilt. I call it “secret sin.” It may be watching porn, adultery, lust, or something else. So, if it has the capacity to ensnare the believer, then it’s worth it to lay it aside. But there is a problem.
According to Galatians 6:1, when you, as a child of God, catch someone involved in sin, you are required to restore the person in the spirit of gentleness. However, there is a following caution in that same scripture: It says that you must watch yourself, lest you also get tempted by the same sin you’re helping that fellow to recover from. This is really interesting.
Dear preacher, don’t think you are a superman in dealing with sinful issues in others’ lives. If you are counselling others to stop practising evil things, you can be tempted to do those same things. Watch yourself as you help others recover from sin because the enemy hates you as you do that.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, help me keep myself pure as I help others overcome troubling issues in their lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2025 – 129
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