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In adding Ted Haggard’s name to the growing list of evangelicals who have fallen victim to their own dark secrets and weaknesses, we must exercise caution in how we respond. Even as we are personally disappointed and embarrassed, we must realize that incidents like this inevitably spill over onto others as well; those in doubt about Christ and the church along with full-blown unbelievers using such incidents to further question or bash the intentions and integrity of all Christians. Names like Swaggert and Baker come to mind as further examples of men who made clarion calls to a righteousness they couldn’t keep, as well as countless others who have fallen victim to the Devil’s wiles and their own fallibility in the course of ministry.

Within days of the revelation of Mr. Haggard’s admission of “some” guilt regarding the allegations made against him, I was discussing the heart-rending predicament Mr. Haggard and his family as well as his church and the church at-large find themselves in. In the course of this discussion with several other men, of varying backgrounds and ages, and one women – my wife – all of us trying to comprehend how something like this happens. During a lull in the conversation my wife matter-of-factly offered her take on the situation, “Men can’t handle fame and power.” That kind of forthright statement usually elicits a few stares, a number of snickers and an affirmative nod or two. But one young man in particular agreed 100% and went on to caution us all to temper our disappointment with love. He’s exactly right. Most of us had never even heard of Mr. Haggard before and had nothing to base our responses to his actions on except news clips from T.V. I found it quite easy to become really upset with someone I knew only by reputation and a situation I really knew very little about; someone who now very publicly represented one more failure for the church, one more hypocrite among the faithful, one more embarrassment for the believer – one more impediment to the gospel. But in reality, he is just one more sinner in desperate need of prayer and help; which may include revoking his leadership of any evangelical organizations, removal from the pulpit of his church and – for a while at least – separation from any other public leadership roles. Not so much in punishment but in an attempt to allow him time to come to terms with his sin and work through their consequences. He must not, however, become isolated from his God and fellow believers, in whom his only hope of salvation and restitution rests. Mr. Haggard has grievously sinned, not against any of us but against God. He has disappointed many, hurt some and possibly hindered others form a real consideration of the gospel; but he stands in danger of judgment before, if not an angry God, then certainly a disappointed one. Our only input in this situation is to pray; that he will honestly admit to his sin and receive the help he needs; that he will be able to re-establish the trust and admiration of his wife and family; that someday, he may be able to re-engage in Christian service – at whatever level the Lord provides. Some may think that’s not severe enough, given the level of betrayal, denial and nature of the transgression; yet even as I believe we should all be held accountable for our actions, there should none-the-less be an avenue for relief, restitution and redemption held open to the truly repentant.

Biblical examples of betrayal and redemption abound, proving my wife’s estimation of man’s inability to handle power and God’s ability to redeem them. Men of stature such as Saul (1 Samuel 8:9,10; 1 Samuel 13:1-5; and 1 Samuel 15), David (2 Samuel 7:8-11; 2Samuel 11:1-27,2 Samuel 24:21-25), and Solomon (1 Kings 3:7-14; 1 Kings 11:1-13), come quickly to mind; as well as the utter foolishness of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. (1 Kings 12:1-17) All fell victim to pride and lust for the advantages of the rich and famous. The New Testament example of Saul – before he became Paul – is the most obvious depiction of the highly educated and skilled individual who became blinded by privilege and power; separating him from the reality of truth. But thank God it doesn’t stop there. He also exemplifies men brought to their knees by the light of revelation as he repented, was redeemed and used in ways he nor anyone else expected – or for some, accepted. (Acts 7:5-60 – 8:1-3,9:1-31)

There is an old saying that warns, ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ The thing to remember is that none of us are safe from the enticements of power, nor are we totally protected from the consequences of bad decisions and foolishness. We all likewise have within us the capacity for gross sin and rebellion, and must guard against it at all times by being aware of our weaknesses and refraining from placing ourselves in compromising situations, being willing at all times to humble ourselves in repentance; thereby becoming able to assist others who are struggling or have fallen in the battle against sin. (The church having the unpleasant reputation for being one of the few “armies” mobilized against an unjust world that routinely disregards or worse yet – shoots its own wounded!)

We are often undone not by others but by our own hidden desires and the lusts of the world that inevitably breaks out in our lives when we least expect it. (See 1 John 2:15-17) The only way to successfully combat this tendency is eternal vigilance and constant introspection accompanied by repentance of anything that hinders God’s word and will from having complete sway in our lives. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - March 11-15