About two weeks ago, our family enjoyed an evening outside, sitting around a new fire-pit friends had given to us. It was quite different from others we’ve used. This new one was a cylinder made from stainless steel.

Toward the end of the evening, I had the bright idea of checking to see how hot the outside of the fire-pit was. I definitely should have known better, but my curiosity got the best of me. It was hot; hot enough to burn my index finger and leave a wound that lasted for more than a week.

How stupid of me. But I reflected on how this situation was a lesson concerning sin.

Several weeks ago, news broke concerning the fall of another very prominent minister and teacher. I am intentionally not going to mention his name– you likely know it already. The purpose of this article is not to reflect on the details of this sad fall, but rather to give consideration to the warnings and promises of God’s Word.

In light of temptation and sin, we often turn to 1 Corinthians 10:12–13:

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.“

When you hear a scandalous story, your first response is to be warned.

Yes, we know there are people who are just playing games and putting on a show. But whatever the details, the account is a reminder of just how deceptive the heart of man is. We should never let ourselves think I could never dishonor the Lord in such a way as this.

Take heed lest you fall, Scripture warns.

Following the warning is the great promise of God’s faithfulness. Though we face temptation and trial, God is faithful in that we are never put into a situation where the only choice is to succumb to the pressure. There is always a way of escape.

What a powerful reminder, yet it also makes the reality of scandal even worse.

So why do prominent ministers and unknown Christians still fall into great sin?

You fall into sin when you enjoy the sin more than seeking to escape.

The great theologian Augustine in his Confessions described his struggle with lust, saying he’d prayed this way,

“Give me continence but not yet.”

Sin is a matter of the will, not simply an intellectual failure.

Sin is understandable; we are all experts in it. Yet, if we see it the way God does, it is the most irrational act. It makes no sense why someone trades fleeting pleasure in exchange for losing perhaps many years of seeming faithful service. In light of the scandal mentioned above, I believe it is pointless to try to figure out someone else’s heart when we can’t even figure out our own sinful hearts.

It is also likely for us all that major sin comes as a result of first making many smaller compromises and justifying these choices with either a “no big deal” or needing just a quick prayer for forgiveness.

I want to share a word with those who look at sins like this and think,

“Well, this is basically true of all Christians and Christian pastors and leaders. This is why I never plan to step foot into a church again; I am just sick of the hypocrisy.”

It’s interesting that this logic is not applied consistently in other areas of life.

There are people who cheat in business, but people don’t forsake all commerce and business. If you think your boss is cheating you, you might quit your job, but then you look for another one. Not all churches are faithful, but this doesn’t mean that there are no churches to join. There are countless faithful ministers seeking to serve the Lord.

As necessary as it is that you place yourselves under the accountability of faithful elders in the context of a local church, you are never to put your ultimate trust in any man or institute.

Our ultimate trust is in the one who is the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Though our own sin and the sin of others is sadly prevalent, we should never get comfortable with sin or simply dismiss it. These things should be shocking to us. The message of salvation is not a message of cheap grace—just pray a little prayer and all is well.

The message of salvation is that Jesus Christ bore the sins of all His people. He bore the fullness of wrath that you and I deserve. In light of scandal, pray that you will all the more look to the Savior.

Pray as He directed you,

“Lead us not into temptation.”