I heard a message yesterday that hit me like a ton of bricks. Jack talked about speaking to a young man who, by his own testimony was doing “O.K.” When questioned about his struggles with pornography however he admitted he had good weeks and bad ones. “But it’s OK, you know we all struggle with it.” At that monument I suddenly realized I had lost something in recent years. It’s been a long time since I have heard leaders stand up and say “I don’t go there”.
I remember the first time, years ago, a leader in the church admitted that they struggled with sin just as I did. It was so encouraging at the time and it lead me to stop condemning myself and just get to work for Jesus. I have swung too far that way though. Either trying to encourage a struggling brother or feign modesty it is rare for me to say “no, by God’s Grace, I do not participate in that sin. We need leaders who will stand up and proclaim “Not me, not anymore!” We have stopped encouraging each other to victory for the sake of being able to “relate”. If we are not willing to set the bar all the way to perfection, like Jesus told us to (Matthew 5:48Matthew 5:48
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
WP-Bible plugin), then we will be content to judge ourselves against our peers and not our devine Example.
As leaders we must strive to be able to say, as Paul did: Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Philipians 3:17