Every time there is anything that happens with a famous preacher, the blame is placed on conferences or “celebrity culture” (whatever that is) or social media.
But such blame misses the mark. At the root of it all, the issue is the flesh:
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21, LSB)
Indeed we are warned,
“Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:1-3, LSB)
Don’t think for a minute that any one of us are above the sins of the most famous preacher.
Before there were any national conferences, or social media etc, Paul was dealing with a church in Corinth:
“Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, LSB)
I thank God for conferences….for churches of all sizes who proclaim the truth without apology….for social media…for pastors well known and lesser known. Yes many of those pastors and preachers are my heroes in the faith, and it hurts when one falls but I’m reminded that there was only one sinless preacher ever and His name is Jesus. I pray for those who are standing and I pray for the restoration of the fallen! May God get the glory in all we do!