WHY CHRISTIAN LEADERS FALL

When celebrated Christian leaders fall, pilgrims often wonder why. While I don’t claim to know comprehensively, here are two possible reasons-

1. Making Christian ministry the focus of your life: It is good to pause for a moment and think what defines our Christian lives. For many it is what they do for the Lord. While what we do for the Lord is precious, to make it the primary focus of our lives is to be in error. There can be no other focus than our personal relationship with the Lord. This encompasses our salvation in Christ, our dependence on Him and being led by Him daily to become transformed into His image. All else including ministry is secondary. When a Christian leader finds success in his ministry, making a huge impact on the world around, it still is secondary to his personal walk with the Lord. A strong tree is one that has more invisible roots than the visible stem and the branches. When a tree becomes huge but has small roots, it easily falls. Building a personal relationship with the Lord is like building roots that sustain the visible component of our Christian lives. The discipline in prayer, studying the Word of God and obedience to the Word all define how strong our roots are in the Lord. Jesus was very clear, “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20)
2. Pride: The greatest virtue is humility and directly contrasts with the greatest sin, which is pride. Pride defined Satan and his actions and is the most formidable foe man will face in this life. Humility begins with submitting to Christ and His finished work on the cross for your salvation. It continues to reign in your life by submitting to God and in doing so, not giving yourself the numero-uno position in life. God always needs to have the final say in your thoughts and decisions and when that happens, grace is given to submit to those around you as well, in accordance with the will of God. Humility further needs to be practiced by following the recommendation of Paul, “let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (2Corinthians 2:17) Far too often, we see the exaggerated effort of Christians to boast about who they are, what they have become or what they have done and very little of what God has done for them by saving them and leading them. Even though there might a religious verbal garb covering such an effort, it is more a pointer to self than to God. Very often we find the call of those who are missionaries or leaders for the Lord talking of their great sacrifices and little of how God has sustained them, while urging others to follow them or join their ministry, with little concern of what God’s will might be for the listeners. In all these, it is pride rather than humility being cultivated. 

Both are in fact related, because when Christian ministry defines your life, pride is close by, waiting to take over. When pride rules, fall becomes imminent. And when Christian leaders fall, while a lot of noise is made, pilgrims should reserve judgment for God, never forgetting that men and women are still fallible, with only Christ being worthy of worship.

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