Why? What your prayer be? Since God has preordained every action, both Lawson's actions and anything that happens from now has already been determined.
Not only will you not act inappropriately if never alone with a member of the opposite sex, but you will avoid any appearance of impropriety, and any opportunity for malicious gossip. We cannot be casual with this issue. The world is watching, and all too ready to condemn.
Not being able to be alone with someone or you will try to have sex with them speaks to lack of self-control that should be disqualifying for ministry.
@@noelleleader6212 absolutely not what was said. The Bible clearly teaches we should avoid ANY appearance of impropriety. It also teaches that anyone can fall.
@@stubbs935 How is being in the same space with the opposite sex alone improper? Should i never have a work meeting? Take a cab? Hire a repairman? This advice also ignores the existence of same sex temptation.
noelleleader6212, The devil has long tried to set us in vulnerable places by attempting to shame our sound reasoning. We are not ignorant of his devices nor will we fall for this one.
@@samuelcurrin1369 he won’t even say the name of the Pastor…….whats the big secret? Oh wait it’s his conference buddy…. Paul was never afraid to name, names nor call out sin for what it is….
@@polskigirl8547 Everyone knows that pastor's name. I think Dr. Mohler's critique was even more effective by not mentioning the pastor's name. He certainly pulled no punches in his condemnation of the affair.
He wouldn’t call out the name of the man, nor would he call it ADULTERY! It is not an impropriety, it is sin- it is adultery! Quit tiptoeing around the wickedness!
@@ROGERBELLAS he can tag team preach with Mike Bickle, Robert Morris, Carl Lentz, and so many more. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The pain and the horror...I'm glad Pastor Mohler did not mince words. You can clearly see it in his eyes. Pray for your leaders because they now have to bear the heavy burden. The Church will not fall because our sovereign God has it under control. 🙏 🤲 📖
brendatajik6150, I agree that God is in control of his church. Were these actions of Steve Lawson outside of God’s control? They were indeed extremely painful.
These are not the The Body of Christ !!! It is the blind leading the blind and bringing disgrace to Our Lord and Saviour. Thank you Almighty God for exposing this 1 John 3: 9
phillipaj.5588 All who have passed through the Door, entering by the blood, are the body of Christ. I would hasten to say that sin has never been a part of his body.
Perhaps all this travelling that these ministers do alone is not good! Shouldn't their wives be travelling with them? That would make more sense. This is why I never liked the idea of "travel work" because it can lead to this. You are alone and vulnerable and your better half is miles away.
Yes good advice brother. I would add, maybe pastors should stay in their own churches and if invited to preach elsewhere it should be a rare occasion and only with his wife and/or elders with him.
Yes a wife should always go that’s why I don’t believe that they should always be working because then they can’t really be doing ministry things together, but many churches don’t give enough offering so that they both can be fully in ministry only yet it’s still not an excuse to cheat on someone
Exactly ! You are Spot On !!! Is the Church taking some of the responsibility ? What happened in Bible times? If I'm correct ( speaking under correction ) didn't they go two by two ? It just dawned on me now !
My father was in full-time Christian ministry for almost 50 years. He traveled a fair bit, on and off over the years, and never went by himself. My mom always went with him, which was difficult when we kids were young, but they always made that a priority that he would not travel alone.
Im not Reformed I m baptist, but what I,m firstable I am Christian, and I can tell you all, that we are sad with Steve's fallen. We have to remember him as a soldier. It is a sad day. 😢
At times we are more turned on by the articulation of theology rather than by the life it demands. Moral failures within ecclesial leadership often result when theological proficiency is preferred beyond theological practices - when knowledge supersedes practice.
petersebastion7596, I hold no ill will towards Steve. I have compassion toward him and have empathy with his family. Trust in God and his biblical truths still holds firm but trust in Steve lies shattered on the ground. One can offer forgiveness but trust is not a thing that you can just offer, it must be intentionally rebuilt and earned.
Chirist tells us "There are those who have made themselves eunichs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it. " (Mt 19:12). Lets live the gospels, not just talk about it!
I Feel ya man…I just started seminary and it’s got me wondering whether it’s worth it to go thru all this. Thankfully the Word will never come back void🙏
1Tim 5:20 "... so that all would fear." When someone falls or is publicly exposed in their sin, the purpose is for you to fear. Not to fear ministry, but to fear God. What's helpful is to see that ministry is our effort to accomplish God's ends and purposes. That God takes His Word seriously, loves His church purely, and calls His ministers into accountability. God bless you brother and press on.
Grace and peace to the church grieved by this situation. I pray everyone is strong enough in the Lord to remain. Some do walk away during this type of trial. The couple involved have deeply grieved the Lord. That is no small matter. Comments by people elsewhere make it clear where they stand and shared scriptures to back their various views; judgements; opinions etc, which can cause division. I hope unity in the Spirit prevails. Btw. Privately, the Holy Spirit trained me up when my late husband became a gospel globe-trotter. I was forbidden to allow any man whatsoever into my home when he was away. The Lord used the verse, let there be no appearance of evil. I complied. When I was widowed, years later, my incredible pastor came to my door one morning. He looked visibly perplexed when I didn't invite him in. I didn't bat an eyelid...obedience was well established by then. Yay. I'd never heard of this Bible teacher until last week but I understand he was excellent therefore I intend to watch his videos if they are still available. Blessings abound to all of you. Greetings from Scotland.
I don’t know if my comment will matter in the scheme of things, but I have made some observations over the last decade that have quite frankly, devastated the way my faith operates. I am now in my sixties, radically saved almost 40 years ago, I was very active in my fellowship. But I no longer practice my faith in that way. A few years ago, my own home church’s founding pastor fell in an “inappropriate relationship” with someone not his wife. As COVID hit, and the “global” church divided over masks, gathering and other adiaphora, the layers of at least American Christianity pulled apart. I realized, as did many other christian wives, that our marriages were not as sacred to our husbands or our churches as we had been led to believe. We were not safe. Sure, a man is not likely to have sex with another woman if he is never left alone with her, but not every woman is a temptress. Some women actually need private counsel from pastoral care, and basically women are treated with suspicion rather than compassion as a norm. Your also not likely to have sex with someone not your spouse if you take heed to your own soul. Pastors who are self-aware, self-reflecting, and open, with transparency with others in genuine fellowship, will remain teachable. Celebrity Christianity has destroyed the word “honorable” in the world around us. Steven Lawson was “honorable” 10 minutes ago… quit using that word so glibly. I haven’t trusted the so-called church (buildings, meetings, sermons and songs), since my own church abandoned and betrayed me, and left me isolated with an abusive neglectful husband and without help. My husband, at the time, was an “honorable” elder. He doesn’t attend church anymore either, but not for the same reasons. All that to say… There may be a few “Jezebelian temptresses” out there. But many, dare I say most of us are tired of being blamed for a man’s behavior. We either didn’t pray enough, be seductive enough (to our own husbands only of course), in any case, we didn’t keep him happy enough to stay home and not stray. We are worn and torn… You place far too much weight on women to be enough… but not too much, lest we cause another man to stumble. And not nearly enough weight on the man you continually remind us is head and should be respected. I am literally sick to my stomach every time some “honorable” man is exposed. But it sickens me more that it seems to come as a shock to those who were supposed to be his close friends. Maybe that is the problem… no one knows each other well enough to truly be his friend. Maybe that is the shame that the world sees. We talk of loving one another, but the incongruity of what is actually true, verses what we say we believe is far too prevalent. Well, even if no one reads this, I feel better having gotten it off my chest. Just thoughts from a bruised reed brutally broken by every “honorable” man in my life. Except Jesus! Thank God I put my faith in Him.
Also… Merely abstaining from sexual sin is not the goal. Jesus taught lust is a heart issue. To look on a woman with lust is considered adultery. See to your heart. Otherwise, you could be truly guilty before God, and proud before men that you were never in a room with a woman not your wife-“See! No sin! What a good boy am I!” Never seeing yourself truly… yet God sees your inner life! And not only that, but other people in your life will never truly know you-nor you them. Intimacy requires exposed vulnerability. Secret habits of thought have a way of protecting themselves. Separating you from others. You can’t be close with someone who cloaks their inner life with “good behavior.”
As someone who struggled with pornography for years (and still has struggled today) can I say on behalf of those who hurt you, I am sorry. I am sorry you were betrayed and treated cruelly by those you trusted, and by members of the church who made themselves out to be more than they were. I do believe that the enemy is targeting men in this way more than any point in history on such a mass scale. I believe MOST of these pastors secretly struggle with hidden sins. I do think honesty and clarity and transparency is key. I've fallen so many times in my own walk that I am now of the opinion that it truly is only by God's mercy I can be saved, its nothing that I have done. And I am not worthy of it. I thank God that He does forgive, even if we fall a thousand times He can forgive. But we are also called to grow and to regularly confess our son and struggle. Whenever I see a "perfect" Christian I automatically assume he or she is trying hard to cover up some secret sin. It's those who can admit they struggle and sim I think who are able by Gods grace to begin growing and struggling. Anyway. I'm sorry for the abuse you suffered in the church. I hope one day you are able to build relationships in the church again, learn to trust again and have fellowship. Just know we all stumble and there is none who have not sinned.
@adamslaura768 Here, I thought I was alone in this issue. Our stories aren't exactly the same but close enough. I'll only share one thing. Our pastor insisted on counseling us separately so he could ask me intimate questions. Then, he told us not to share details of our sessions. We were young and stupid. This pastor had also counseled us that we were mature enough to be married at barely 18 years old. So, by the third appointment, we were terrified! We met and married in that church. Our daughter was dedicated in that church. Nobody was going to listen to us. We left that day and went to another church in the chain. About 2 weeks later, we heard he had been "called" to another church out of state. It took me years to get past that. What that man did set the entire course of my life. I know you are angry, and I'm truly sorry for that. But, we all must remember our Lord is our Sovereign God! It's about Him and His love for us that led to His shame and agony on the cross. No mere human can take that away if we don't let them. May the Lord protect and defend you, dear sister.🙏 📖 🙌
@@thesanfranciscoseahorse473 thank you. For the apology and for your honesty. The apology is healing, surprisingly, and the honesty gives me hope. Thank you for replying.
I think that Dr Mohler did a very good job with this message. His gentle spirit, wise guidance, and refusal to name the involved person(s), shows a deep maturity, and reverence for the ministry of the gospel. I have deep theological issues, with the individual who “fell”, but fully expect to meet him in heaven some day. None of that gets in my way, of praying for him, his wife, kids, ministry, etc. **** Side note to the comments section: There is much wisdom in scripture, and “The Billy Graham Rule”. But, we don’t live under the constraints of “The Law”, but by the power of The Holy Spirit in our lives. HE, who lives within us, will give us the discipline, and wisdom, to avoid these situations. I say this in deep humility, as one who [ almost ] , had a similar crash! It is very humbling, to realize how susceptible we are to sin, and that it is only by the presence and power of The Holy Spirit, that we can avoid falling. Prayers for all..!
Amen❣️ Very good and beautiful everything you said. The body of Christ suffers because of this situation and the devil rejoices, but the Lord Jesus Christ is the same and through this bad situation He will strengthen us to be careful what we think and do. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Lawson's sin isn't new. He shall give an account. As we will all. It seems as one grows closer to God & represent Christendom more publicly; Satan chooses them to be a great price for failure. Please pray for me.
Steve Lawson, more than anyone else in the many years that I have been born again, has influenced my theology and Christian life. His series on the attributes of God exposed how I had “squeezed” God into God is love, which He is, and shortsighted myself to His other attributes, such as wrath, justice, judgment, and vengeance. His teaching on the Trinitarian Jesus, the resurrected Jesus, showed how I had also locked Him into the Godman Jesus of the gospels, ignoring the resurrected Jesus who threatened churches in Revelation with serious consequences if they didn’t repent. It showed me that the Trinitarian Jesus, God the Son, is demanding when it comes to sin in the church - and in my life. Stop sinning! Steve’s teachings unmasked the sentimentalist Jesus I had grown accustomed to who is soft on sin: the Jesus of most of the American church and in my life: not the “real” Jesus. God used Steve to instill in me that Jesus “demands” me to live a holy life. I believe when saved you are saved forever. But Jesus is also my Judge, and of all born-again believers. He died so He will see the agony of His soul and be satisfied (Isaiah 53: 11); all born-again believers are the agony of His soul. And I want Him to be fully satisfied with me because I took sin seriously beyond new birth to live a holy life. God used Steve Lawson to teach me it and to move forward to where I am today - and the knowledge of the Word to keep moving forward until I reach heaven. Never once did I think of him as a celebrity preacher, nor on a pedestal - only as a man who rightly divided the Word of God. My heart grieves.
I will pray for you, brother. This so disorienting. But we know that the Word tells us to be wise as serpents gentle as doves. Traveling alone is dangerous for anyone. He should have wanted protection.
@dennisbelkofer1311 take no notice of such as truth seeker. You found the truth, brother, but the general American opinion is shockingly anti-Calvinist. Think they are really against hyperCalvinism which is indeed error. But any man can fall and Steve Lawton’s fall is a tragedy.
@@earlydawn8183 Take a rest early dawn. Hyper Calvinism is consistent Calvinism. Steve believes his god decreed all. Very simple and plain. Reformed ridiculousness
Once again people seem to think the answer is making the opposite sex dangerous instead of taking captive our thoughts and seeing them as our family. The church seems to be agreeing with the world that everything is sexual. We as the church should instead be modeling what it means to have strong, nonsexual, relationships with our sisters and brother of the faith. We must have mothers and fathers of the faith passing down wisdom. Stop being afraid of the family of God.
Looking at everyone in the church as a father, mother, brother and sister is the way, I strongly agree with you, the opposite sex are not to be prayed upon or seen as evil.
I think you missed the point. The opposite sex is not the danger, it is putting oneself in the path of temptation. Never being alone with the opposite sex is a doable practice that is wise counsel. I love my brothers in Christ like brothers but I don't hang out with them without others present.
We are seeing, across the Christian spectrum, the truth of the following: 1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. And, for those who get in their “moral outrage” mode this shows a need to let this saint’s moral failure be a stark reminder of the words of Paul: 1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Amen and Amen and Amen... still working through the outrage because of the horrific effect on fellow true Believers but also the quenching of souls who may turn away from listening to the preaching and teaching of HIS love letter to HIS creation....
Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is the breaking of law. 5You know that He was revealed so that He might take away sins and there is no sin in Him. 6Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you! The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works. 9Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God. 10This is how God’s children - and the Devil’s children - are made evident. Yes that's what the Bible says.
Not a would have he's on TH-cam saying exactly those things and saying that the sins that happen are good because in the end it's all decreed by god. Think about that this is why the ministry feels invalidated and this is why a lot of these Ministries pull down his stuff so fast because they're worried when people see what he has said realize his hyper strain of Calvinism and what it led to because you cannot live a life that's that focused on an ideology and not the influence with how you walk and ultimately end up sinning. And that's why if anyone thinks he stands take he lets you fall applies as much to me as it does to Lawson or anyone else
the problem with shielding is that the message sounds like platitudes and has less benefit. in a cynical sense it can also be used to shield one’s self from any responsibility.
One thing that I find troubling is that many, many pastors recently starting with Carl Lentz have been guilty of these things and cut down. But it is only when it is one of your own that people call it a catastrophe. When Mr. Lentz was caught, many of these same people held that "air of superiority" and said, "Oh well that's Hillsong. They aren't a real church. They are one of those "celebrity" churches."
It hurts, Zacharias, Evans, and now Lawson for me. And I remembered Judas, my friends and family, and sadly, my deeds, too. I leaned to focus on Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and Our Heavenly Father.
Perhaps because he is not an elder authority over him, Trinity Bible Church elders would be his spiritual authority. Regardless, everyone knows who he is talking about.
"INAPPROPRIATE?" Is that what it's called? Here the word "improper" was used. Shouldn't Christians, of all people, be the first to call sin by its proper name: sin? Yet I have yet to hear even one "church leader" refer to this incidence of sexual sin, sexual sin. A couple of decades ago, the social sciences, sociology especially, became obsessed with all value judgments being "value neutral." One of their techniques was to replace words like wrong, or bad, or wicked, or sinful with the value neutral word inappropriate. Now, rather than a behavior being wrong in the absolute sense, it was only inappropriate, meaning that it was not right ... given the context. Thus, we entered into decades of uttering this five syllable word as a replacement for the former one syllable word: wrong. You have to really want to get rid of the one syllable version if you're willing to do all the work of a five-banger substitute every time something is or goes "wrong." Even we Christian must really hate the word sin. This came to us through the secular world, the social sciences hellbent on erasing God from the public square. And what do we find among our Christian leaders? Not just more and more sexual sin, but an insistence on using the secular world's label for it: inappropriate. So it is that I find myself just as disgusted with our cowardly church leaders as our sexually sinful ones. For heavens sake, way back in the 1970s, even the well-known secular psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Menninger of the Menninger Clinic, wrote a book he entitled: "What Ever Became of Sin?" In it he lamented our world's loss of ability to call sin sin, and expounded on the damage to mental health this resulted in. So ... a secular psychiatrist can insist on calling sin sin, but church leaders insist on the secular, anti-God word: inappropriate. And we wonder why, not just "the world," but the church itself is in such bad shape. It makes me want to run through churches on Sunday mornings, running up and down the aisles, just shouting the word "SIN!" I think I'd do two laps around the shocked congregation and zip out the front door before the deacons caught and threw me out. "How uncouth," they'd say to one another. "How embarrassing," would think the pastor, with his mumbling of platitudes interrupted. But I think Jesus would stand up and applaud. (By the way, did Jesus say to the woman taken in adultery: "Go and conduct inappropriate behavior no more." ???
I can see you're angry and frustrated. Thank you for visiting. Wait until all the evidence is laid bare. Meanwhile heed the counsel, weep with those who weep, pray for the churches, love the brethren. Things are still developing. This was given to provide counsel for all the students in his school and we can all benefit from such counsel.
@@patricklacson I'm sorry you missed my point. My problem is not with the "evidence" of this particular case. My concern is the church's conforming to the secularization of Christianity's language. I am well aware of the proper Christian manner of responding to the person involved. I agree with all of that. It is the surrendering of our crucial vocabulary for understanding what we are dealing with ... that is my concern. Words mold our thinking; our thinking determines actions.
I don't know a lot about Lawson so I don't know how "successful" financially that his ministry was. I do know any human being, whether pastor or not, has a tendency to make bad decisions when a little wealth and fame come to them. No matter how strong you think you are, money and fame will make you weak.
People are to be blamed for their sin, but God is to be praised for preserving people. This is just a reminder, to keep us humble because we have no boast over Mr Lawson, because if we’re preserved, it is God. If we stumble it is us. I wonder if Mr Lawson knew the grace of God to preserve him, rather than trying to do it himself…
I think we need to consider that HOW WE RESPOND to these issues says more to the world than the issue itself. Do we pounce? Do we use this as an opportunity to attack what we see as inferior theology? I am heartbroken over this for everyone involved, included Steve Lawson. As a pastor myself, it fills me with humility that I too am vulnerable and must depend on the Lord every moment to keep me from falling. We need each other and the world needs to see a church united in handling the sin but in love and with a humble heart of restoration.
I would also and I wished he would have cautioned this people who are thinking about whether God is calling you into a Christian Ministry like the pastorate to be very very careful that you are not seeking it out because of some kind of Glory or Accolade that you may receive from man because the position is not about you it is about doing what God would have you do to Shepherd a flock. I'm of the belief that we have a generation of pastors perhaps two generations of pastors even where there's a lot of them that are not true Shepherds and they act like hirelings they don't really Shepherd the flock they make it about them the church becomes about them and their personality their way or the highway when scripture would rebuke them on certain things and I'm not saying that Lawson carried himself that way I don't know him and I didn't go to his church I'm not saying that there's anyone reading here who may have a pastor like that but I know people who have and I've seen the hurt that that brings in the damage it does to the gospel and for that reason alone we should be on guard
LOL, how he avoids Lawson's name. Lawson was judging others harshly and declared them as not saved. He himself lived a double life and his adultery lasted 5 years with a woman who could be his grandkid. Is Lawson saved at all? He willingly shamed the name of Christ and is still unrepentant.
@@mikecude4167 Its funny that you defend him after he revealed himself as a wolf in sheeps clothing. He shredded other pastors for adultery but he was a hypocrite after all. He insulted Christ, hurt his family and mocked the Church. Many will leave the faith after this.
Avoiding women is not the answer. Honoring them as your sisters, as daughters of the Most High. As image bearers of God who have been granted equal honor of the grace of life. Not looking at them as lesser than. and as if our mere existence on this planet is to serve men and their wants and needs. We are partners with you, in Christ, who are working alongside you to take dominion over the planet, not mere helpers. Don't be ignorant of the Evil One's schemes. If another, who is not your wife, appears to you so shiny and appealing to your fleshly egos while Satan's demons simultaneously point out every shortcoming of your wife's, recognize it for what it is. A LIE. LOOK at both your wife and whoever it is that is appearing to you as an angel of light as God's daughters. Flee temptation. Don't play or flirt with it. Get your heart and mind back into submission to Christ. Flee if you must. (I, myself, have had to do that before) Value women. Don't avoid them. Jesus didn't and was in every way a man just as you are. He saw women with holy eyes of love. You can as well. If you have the Holy Spirit - if indeed He dwells within you - you CAN put on the mind of Christ. You can see women as Christ does. Don't view them as a threat, view them as God's own precious ones. There is no reason not to see women as valuable as Jesus did while on this earth. He was alone at the well with a woman. He purely loved women and still does. Take every thought captive to Christ's obedience. Submit to Him, draw nigh to Him, and the evil one will flee. Submit to one another in love.
I agree that we should honor women as sisters in Christ. However, refusing to be alone with a woman who is not your wife IS a way to honor them as sisters in Christ. It isn't that we should think that all women are evil - but it is about being wise to know that our spirit (my spirit, as a man) is willing to obey, but our flesh is weak. (Matt 26:41). Part of what it means to flee temptation and youthful lusts is to not put yourself in situations where you could become prey to them. Especially as pastors, but for all Christians, we must avoid even the appearance of evil by not putting ourselves in any situation that COULD be seen by others as inappropriate - even if nothing happened. The Billy Graham rule is a good rule. It protects men and women too. We can honor women and value them and do ministry with them without needing to be alone with them.
@jacobhigdon7928 if it's late at night and your sister had to walk a farther distance to her car, in not a great part of town, would you step up and drive her there? Walk her over? Or would Billy Graham get in the way of protecting your sister in Christ? This was a real sinario I heard about. The woman was left to walk to her car, in a strange city, alone, at night, because her brothers did not value her enough.
Our ethics professor at NOBTS in '88 said, "Believers and christian leaders are uniquely vulnerable.. As a result, they are easily tempted. Therefore, they should be unusually cautious." Amen.
These men are not "falling" into sin and a plague is not "overtaking" them. They are choosing to sin. The publication of Lawson and his adultery(s) isnt what harms the church and the gospel BUT RATHER sinning pastors!!! That's where the fault lies. If the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, should all millionaire pastors be examined for affairs, pride, bullying, extortion and all manner of cutthroat mafia excess?
It seems that the Reformed Baptist camp has surpassed the Charismatics in terms of high-profile celebrity pastors. It's easy to get caught up in the money and fame and lose focus on what's important.
While I understand people are hurt and disappointed over Lawson's removal from ministry, I am a little disgusted at some of these responses. The man was in an adulterous relationship for FIVE years with a woman in her late 20s, which would mean he began seeing her in her early 20s. Steve Lawson is in his 70s! This is utterly disgusting! Although this does not qualify for being pedophilia, it is reprehensible that a man who preached so hard against sin and prided himself in "expository preaching" began to have an adulterous relationship with a woman who could be his grandchild or perhaps great-grandchild for a duration of time. This is a complete disgrace!
I agree completely with everything you wrote, however I would say: in this instance, the invocation of the pedophilia word is not right. Yes, I know you acknowledged that Lawson's sin was not _that,_ but that really is a CATEGORICALLY different sin. And it has no business being brought up in this discussion. While I realize you were clear to highlight the obvious: that Lawson's sin is not pedophilia, there is no good reason to even bring up that sin in connection to Steve's sin. What Lawson did is **awful,** make no mistake. But connecting sin x to a qualitatively different breed of evil, even if the connection is then immediately disclaimed, is not helpful. TL;DR actual pedophilia is markedly different. It has no business in this conversation. Period. Sorry tho, pedophilia really has no business being brought up.
@@AnHebrewChild I understand where you are coming from. However, the comparison to pedophilia is simply due to the vast age difference of 50 years. While this may not be considered a civil crime, it is gross. A man who preaches against sin sets himself out to the public as being a godly man and then has an adulterous relationship with someone 50 years his junior is just sick. Moreover, from what Phil Johnson tweeted, the only reason why he confessed was because the young lady's father was going to expose him. I would have more sympathy for Lawson if the woman was his equal (in age) and it was a one-time mistake (he still would need to be removed from ministry). However, this is gross and, indeed, creepy. Just imagine if you were the father OR perhaps grandfather of this young lady and you found this out? Nonetheless, may Steve be healed by the Lord and repent of his sin.
@@No1believer agree. Evidence is still coming out. Mohler may not have known that part. Once all of it comes out, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" says the Lord. For now we grieve for the families involved and weep with those who weep
Many have experienced an unfaithful spouse's sins. It is horribly destructive. My heart goes out to Dr. Lawson's wife and family. Did it not occur to him that he would hurt them badly, hurt the church and lose his huge ministry? So sad. 😢🙏🙏🙏
Whatever happened to the works of the Holy Spirit? Five years is a long time, and no one was alerted by the works of the Holy Spirit? Because He is still at work. If not then God knows why. May God heal all affected
She’s guilty but she was only 23 when a 78 y/o, very powerful man pursued her. Don’t point the finger at her without understanding that he has A LOT of power and influence. She was so young and vulnerable.
@@onewotldgovernmentonlywhen9044 Don't be naive. Their affair lasted 5 years and he visited her often in her state. They did it and he needs to repent.
Brother. You guys have a very public ministry.....I DO NOT WANT a political correct SPEACH. DO U HEAR ME!!! This the Church we have standards the secular world does not have.. You could not even mention his Name.SHAME ON YOU..sweep it under the rug? Is that right? I want his name spoken I want his sin spoken out loud. ADULTERY I want to know what is going to happen to him I want to know about the other woman. Is she a Jezebel or a victim? I want ANSWERS. I DEMAND ANSWERS.. YOU SPEECH WAS EXACTLY THAT A SPEECH.. YOU shame yourself your ministry and your church
Satan is working overtime, thinking he has succeeded when we all know that God is using the fall of this man to bring honor and glory to Himself! Its never about us, it's always about Him! This was a wonderful talk of encouragement to God's people. Let's pray for Steve Lawson that he will come to full repentance and get things right with his family and friends.
hope and pray that people will recognize the false gospel that this man preached that has done more damage then any moral faller: Jesus said...Matthew 15:13-14 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Do we really have to meditate and say something about issues like this when someone has fallen? Why not make it part of our regular addresses to our church?
Proverbs 24:16-18 New King James Version 16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 Lest the Lord see it, and [a]it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.
God bless Albert Mohler for these wise words. I'm sure that getting up there and speaking on this painful and extremely disappointing topic wasn't easy.
I find it interesting that no one can seem to actually call it adultery. Just say the word. Inappropriate relationship with a woman not his wife. Just seems to dumb it down and make it less bad. If that had been me the church would be calling it adultery real quick as they started the discipline process.
What a sad response to "situation"!! There should be more concern about doctrines that are being taught that make it easy for a well-educated bible teacher and pastor for decades to fall into this type of sin and stay in it for so long!! If he can't control himself or trust God to enable him to walk holy, then what in the world is he teaching those that are listening to him. Salvation is not all about going to church and being faithful members. A Christian leader, pastor, etc., should be about making disciples!!! There is no way that many of his members are not struggling with sins and find it difficult to overcome them. There are many resources that can help in learning and teaching people how to become disciples. "The Spirit of the Disciplines" by Dallas Willard and "Celebration of the Disciplines" by Richard Foster." Do not trust that your pastor or teacher are themselves always equipped to give you what you need to walk the life of faith. Put your trust in God and His promises to keep and grow you!! Peace and love to you all!!!❤❤❤
Stop acting busy, it's not necessary and only separates spouses constantly. If spouses are alone often they get used to finding substitutes. I'm sorry to say I can tell you from experience.
I truly hope and pray that those of you who know this pastor who has fallen, are reaching out to him and loving on him. He admitted his sin and is hurting right now. He’s angry with himself for letting God down, as well as his family, friends, fellow pastors and flock. He’s in a bad, bad place - not as bad as the place he was in when he allowed temptation to win, but still a bad place.
He had some really good words here about how to protect yourself from this sort of Temptation and I think those are wise however Calvinists The Credo position that goes so far as to believing that every sin and its consequences was orchestrated directed and decreed by God and therefore it is good which this other Pastor did say. That anybody who truly believes that is definitely also setting themselves up to be trapped and ensnared by some sin and it may not be this particular sin we all need to be on guard for it pastors especially but all of us. And I think as long as Calvin is keep expounding this Game Theory of God coding everything Rick from creation to the end of Revelation happening exactly the way he wants is just so weird because it means that the Bible is God ranting about himself and what he did take heed brethren read and understand the scripture don't accept presuppositions from a Pulpit above the scripture in your mind
Probably the most cogent and pastoral words shared regarding this current situation.❤ May the gospel go forward with power! May we continue to watch and pray! /on a separate note… I hope you have the opportunity to visit with Pastor MacArthur and give him a hug on behalf of all of us who have benefited from his faithful ministry all these years!
When I heard about this something happened within me and I have changed….. can’t explain it or understand it but I am closer to the Lord and my joy in Him has increased. We all sin and we are all forgiven in Christ This glorifies Jesus and His work
We need to pray for his family, please.
Yes,we need to.
Why? What your prayer be? Since God has preordained every action, both Lawson's actions and anything that happens from now has already been determined.
@@mimisides I think you have almightily misunderstood the doctrine of predestination.
@@mimisides God has not preordained this sin!!!! He allowed it, but did not purposefully cause Lawson to sin.
@@mimisides Right. It has been determined that we pray for his family. Get on your knees.
We also need to pray for the woman involved too.
Not only will you not act inappropriately if never alone with a member of the opposite sex, but you will avoid any appearance of impropriety, and any opportunity for malicious gossip. We cannot be casual with this issue. The world is watching, and all too ready to condemn.
Mrs.Patriot,
So true, my friend!
I would only add that their condemnation would not be unjust.
Not being able to be alone with someone or you will try to have sex with them speaks to lack of self-control that should be disqualifying for ministry.
@@noelleleader6212 absolutely not what was said. The Bible clearly teaches we should avoid ANY appearance of impropriety. It also teaches that anyone can fall.
@@stubbs935 How is being in the same space with the opposite sex alone improper? Should i never have a work meeting? Take a cab? Hire a repairman?
This advice also ignores the existence of same sex temptation.
noelleleader6212,
The devil has long tried to set us in vulnerable places by attempting to shame our sound reasoning. We are not ignorant of his devices nor will we fall for this one.
I feel so sad about this. We all sin, but it hurts when a Pastor and leader falls. May God help the Church, all of God's people.
@@margcarter9244 What man or satan intends for evil, God intends for good. We're being shaken, sifted. The road is indeed narrow.
The Billy Graham Rule remains undefeated.
BILLY GRAHAM IS IN HELL... THE POPE LOVER THAT INVITED HINDUS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON LARRY KING LIVE... (DONT YOU KNOW) !!
What's the Billy Graham rule?
@@thomasallie.R122 "Never be alone with a woman who is not your wife."
A thoughtful yet powerful response by Dr. Mohler in a difficult moment for the church.
@@samuelcurrin1369 he won’t even say the name of the Pastor…….whats the big secret? Oh wait it’s his conference buddy….
Paul was never afraid to name, names nor call out sin for what it is….
@@polskigirl8547 Everyone knows that pastor's name. I think Dr. Mohler's critique was even more effective by not mentioning the pastor's name. He certainly pulled no punches in his condemnation of the affair.
@@samuelcurrin1369 wrong……..show me in scripture where sin was not called out by name and person
He wouldn’t call out the name of the man, nor would he call it ADULTERY! It is not an impropriety, it is sin- it is adultery! Quit tiptoeing around the wickedness!
He can of course be forgiven. But he has lost his qualification to be a Pastor!
He will be back preaching somewhere in the near future because he can draw a crowd.
@@ROGERBELLAS He’s not qualified to be a Pastor Again!
@@ROGERBELLAS he can tag team preach with Mike Bickle, Robert Morris, Carl Lentz, and so many more. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
@@ROGERBELLAS I highly doubt he'll preach again. He knows he shouldn't.
The pain and the horror...I'm glad Pastor Mohler did not mince words. You can clearly see it in his eyes. Pray for your leaders because they now have to bear the heavy burden. The Church will not fall because our sovereign God has it under control. 🙏 🤲 📖
brendatajik6150,
I agree that God is in control of his church.
Were these actions of Steve Lawson outside of God’s control? They were indeed extremely painful.
An Innocent 5 year Inappropriate affair with no sex with a young girl. Is Lawson saying a repeat out of Clinton 's play book #5 use a cigar.
These are not the The Body of Christ !!!
It is the blind leading the blind and bringing disgrace to Our Lord and Saviour.
Thank you Almighty God for exposing this
1 John 3: 9
phillipaj.5588
All who have passed through the Door, entering by the blood, are the body of Christ. I would hasten to say that sin has never been a part of his body.
@@IvanEck-h8uI keep seeing this question asked, like it’s the first time this has ever happened. And it’s not.
Perhaps all this travelling that these ministers do alone is not good! Shouldn't their wives be travelling with them? That would make more sense. This is why I never liked the idea of "travel work" because it can lead to this. You are alone and vulnerable and your better half is miles away.
Yes good advice brother. I would add, maybe pastors should stay in their own churches and if invited to preach elsewhere it should be a rare occasion and only with his wife and/or elders with him.
Yes a wife should always go that’s why I don’t believe that they should always be working because then they can’t really be doing ministry things together, but many churches don’t give enough offering so that they both can be fully in ministry only yet it’s still not an excuse to cheat on someone
Exactly ! You are Spot On !!! Is the Church taking some of the responsibility ? What happened in Bible times? If I'm correct ( speaking under correction ) didn't they go two by two ? It just dawned on me now !
Yeah I agree, traveling without their wives, spending so much time away from home
My father was in full-time Christian ministry for almost 50 years. He traveled a fair bit, on and off over the years, and never went by himself. My mom always went with him, which was difficult when we kids were young, but they always made that a priority that he would not travel alone.
Im not Reformed I m baptist, but what I,m firstable I am Christian, and I can tell you all, that we are sad with Steve's fallen. We have to remember him as a soldier. It is a sad day. 😢
I'm not sure it was intended, but I like the word "firstable"!!😂😂😂
@@gwenlucas4200 It's true😅 sister, i have not realized that the keyword wrote it bad. I have should written firstly. Greetings from Madrid, Spain.!!!
@@enriquerevelo882 Greetings from Poland
At times we are more turned on by the articulation of theology rather than by the life it demands. Moral failures within ecclesial leadership often result when theological proficiency is preferred beyond theological practices - when knowledge supersedes practice.
I love Steve. His teaching has helped my walk. He’s been disciplined. Forgive and pray for him.
Pray for his poor wife, kids and family!
petersebastion7596,
I hold no ill will towards Steve. I have compassion toward him and have empathy with his family.
Trust in God and his biblical truths still holds firm but trust in Steve lies shattered on the ground.
One can offer forgiveness but trust is not a thing that you can just offer, it must be intentionally rebuilt and earned.
Have not heard of his repentance as yet. Needs to be public.
He hasn't repented yet. The original statement the church put put out even says as much.
everyone is vulnerable! we need to watch our lives and our doctrine.. our adversary is working 24/7 seeking whom to devour.
And witches doing witchcraft on Christian’s
Amen…our enemy is a roaring lion!
Blaming the Devil is a cop-out. The flesh needs no help….
Chirist tells us "There are those who have made themselves eunichs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it. " (Mt 19:12). Lets live the gospels, not just talk about it!
I am from india. I gladly listened to pastor Lawson, s teachings. But now I fear , I fear doing ministry.
I Feel ya man…I just started seminary and it’s got me wondering whether it’s worth it to go thru all this. Thankfully the Word will never come back void🙏
Don't be afraid, I'm from India too, if God has called you, fight the good fight of faith.
1Tim 5:20 "... so that all would fear." When someone falls or is publicly exposed in their sin, the purpose is for you to fear. Not to fear ministry, but to fear God. What's helpful is to see that ministry is our effort to accomplish God's ends and purposes. That God takes His Word seriously, loves His church purely, and calls His ministers into accountability. God bless you brother and press on.
Fight the good fight, brother
There’s another video that says they didn’t have any physical contact
Why not just call it adultery ?
Grace and peace to the church grieved by this situation. I pray everyone is strong enough in the Lord to remain. Some do walk away during this type of trial. The couple involved have deeply grieved the Lord. That is no small matter.
Comments by people elsewhere make it clear where they stand and shared scriptures to back their various views; judgements; opinions etc, which can cause division. I hope unity in the Spirit prevails.
Btw. Privately, the Holy Spirit trained me up when my late husband became a gospel globe-trotter. I was forbidden to allow any man whatsoever into my home when he was away. The Lord used the verse, let there be no appearance of evil. I complied. When I was widowed, years later, my incredible pastor came to my door one morning.
He looked visibly perplexed when I didn't invite him in. I didn't bat an eyelid...obedience was well established by then. Yay.
I'd never heard of this Bible teacher until last week but I understand he was excellent therefore I intend to watch his videos if they are still available.
Blessings abound to all of you.
Greetings from Scotland.
Thank you. Our church has been deeply affected but we are healing.
It's his wife and children I am grieving for.. I have been in their position. Its devastating 😢
We need the gift of discernment that confronts ministry friends!! Deception in the pulpit & Lord's supper & marrisge bed does not cause blindness.
I don’t know if my comment will matter in the scheme of things, but I have made some observations over the last decade that have quite frankly, devastated the way my faith operates. I am now in my sixties, radically saved almost 40 years ago, I was very active in my fellowship. But I no longer practice my faith in that way.
A few years ago, my own home church’s founding pastor fell in an “inappropriate relationship” with someone not his wife. As COVID hit, and the “global” church divided over masks, gathering and other adiaphora, the layers of at least American Christianity pulled apart.
I realized, as did many other christian wives, that our marriages were not as sacred to our husbands or our churches as we had been led to believe. We were not safe.
Sure, a man is not likely to have sex with another woman if he is never left alone with her, but not every woman is a temptress. Some women actually need private counsel from pastoral care, and basically women are treated with suspicion rather than compassion as a norm.
Your also not likely to have sex with someone not your spouse if you take heed to your own soul. Pastors who are self-aware, self-reflecting, and open, with transparency with others in genuine fellowship, will remain teachable.
Celebrity Christianity has destroyed the word “honorable” in the world around us.
Steven Lawson was “honorable” 10 minutes ago… quit using that word so glibly.
I haven’t trusted the so-called church (buildings, meetings, sermons and songs), since my own church abandoned and betrayed me, and left me isolated with an abusive neglectful husband and without help. My husband, at the time, was an “honorable” elder. He doesn’t attend church anymore either, but not for the same reasons.
All that to say…
There may be a few “Jezebelian temptresses” out there. But many, dare I say most of us are tired of being blamed for a man’s behavior. We either didn’t pray enough, be seductive enough (to our own husbands only of course), in any case, we didn’t keep him happy enough to stay home and not stray. We are worn and torn…
You place far too much weight on women to be enough… but not too much, lest we cause another man to stumble. And not nearly enough weight on the man you continually remind us is head and should be respected.
I am literally sick to my stomach every time some “honorable” man is exposed. But it sickens me more that it seems to come as a shock to those who were supposed to be his close friends.
Maybe that is the problem… no one knows each other well enough to truly be his friend. Maybe that is the shame that the world sees. We talk of loving one another, but the incongruity of what is actually true, verses what we say we believe is far too prevalent.
Well, even if no one reads this, I feel better having gotten it off my chest. Just thoughts from a bruised reed brutally broken by every “honorable” man in my life.
Except Jesus! Thank God I put my faith in Him.
Also…
Merely abstaining from sexual sin is not the goal. Jesus taught lust is a heart issue. To look on a woman with lust is considered adultery. See to your heart. Otherwise, you could be truly guilty before God, and proud before men that you were never in a room with a woman not your wife-“See! No sin! What a good boy am I!” Never seeing yourself truly… yet God sees your inner life! And not only that, but other people in your life will never truly know you-nor you them. Intimacy requires exposed vulnerability. Secret habits of thought have a way of protecting themselves. Separating you from others. You can’t be close with someone who cloaks their inner life with “good behavior.”
As someone who struggled with pornography for years (and still has struggled today) can I say on behalf of those who hurt you, I am sorry.
I am sorry you were betrayed and treated cruelly by those you trusted, and by members of the church who made themselves out to be more than they were.
I do believe that the enemy is targeting men in this way more than any point in history on such a mass scale. I believe MOST of these pastors secretly struggle with hidden sins. I do think honesty and clarity and transparency is key.
I've fallen so many times in my own walk that I am now of the opinion that it truly is only by God's mercy I can be saved, its nothing that I have done. And I am not worthy of it. I thank God that He does forgive, even if we fall a thousand times He can forgive. But we are also called to grow and to regularly confess our son and struggle. Whenever I see a "perfect" Christian I automatically assume he or she is trying hard to cover up some secret sin. It's those who can admit they struggle and sim I think who are able by Gods grace to begin growing and struggling.
Anyway. I'm sorry for the abuse you suffered in the church. I hope one day you are able to build relationships in the church again, learn to trust again and have fellowship. Just know we all stumble and there is none who have not sinned.
@adamslaura768
Here, I thought I was alone in this issue. Our stories aren't exactly the same but close enough. I'll only share one thing. Our pastor insisted on counseling us separately so he could ask me intimate questions. Then, he told us not to share details of our sessions. We were young and stupid. This pastor had also counseled us that we were mature enough to be married at barely 18 years old. So, by the third appointment, we were terrified! We met and married in that church. Our daughter was dedicated in that church. Nobody was going to listen to us. We left that day and went to another church in the chain. About 2 weeks later, we heard he had been "called" to another church out of state. It took me years to get past that. What that man did set the entire course of my life.
I know you are angry, and I'm truly sorry for that. But, we all must remember our Lord is our Sovereign God! It's about Him and His love for us that led to His shame and agony on the cross. No mere human can take that away if we don't let them.
May the Lord protect and defend you, dear sister.🙏 📖 🙌
@@thesanfranciscoseahorse473 thank you. For the apology and for your honesty. The apology is healing, surprisingly, and the honesty gives me hope. Thank you for replying.
@@brendatajik6150 thank you. And thank you for sharing a little of your story.
Steve Lawson needs to repent and be restored. But, he should NEVER be restored to a position of leadership in the church.
I think that Dr Mohler did a very good job with this message. His gentle spirit, wise guidance, and refusal to name the involved person(s), shows a deep maturity, and reverence for the ministry of the gospel. I have deep theological issues, with the individual who “fell”, but fully expect to meet him in heaven some day. None of that gets in my way, of praying for him, his wife, kids, ministry, etc. **** Side note to the comments section: There is much wisdom in scripture, and “The Billy Graham Rule”. But, we don’t live under the constraints of “The Law”, but by the power of The Holy Spirit in our lives. HE, who lives within us, will give us the discipline, and wisdom, to avoid these situations. I say this in deep humility, as one who [ almost ] , had a similar crash! It is very humbling, to realize how susceptible we are to sin, and that it is only by the presence and power of The Holy Spirit, that we can avoid falling. Prayers for all..!
Thank you for visiting and commenting with your personal testimony.
Amen❣️
Very good and beautiful everything you said.
The body of Christ suffers because of this situation and the devil rejoices, but the Lord Jesus Christ is the same and through this bad situation He will strengthen us to be careful what we think and do.
🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Lawson's sin isn't new. He shall give an account. As we will all. It seems as one grows closer to God & represent Christendom more publicly; Satan chooses them to be a great price for failure. Please pray for me.
Steve Lawson, more than anyone else in the many years that I have been born again, has influenced my theology and Christian life. His series on the attributes of God exposed how I had “squeezed” God into God is love, which He is, and shortsighted myself to His other attributes, such as wrath, justice, judgment, and vengeance. His teaching on the Trinitarian Jesus, the resurrected Jesus, showed how I had also locked Him into the Godman Jesus of the gospels, ignoring the resurrected Jesus who threatened churches in Revelation with serious consequences if they didn’t repent. It showed me that the Trinitarian Jesus, God the Son, is demanding when it comes to sin in the church - and in my life. Stop sinning! Steve’s teachings unmasked the sentimentalist Jesus I had grown accustomed to who is soft on sin: the Jesus of most of the American church and in my life: not the “real” Jesus. God used Steve to instill in me that Jesus “demands” me to live a holy life. I believe when saved you are saved forever. But Jesus is also my Judge, and of all born-again believers. He died so He will see the agony of His soul and be satisfied (Isaiah 53: 11); all born-again believers are the agony of His soul. And I want Him to be fully satisfied with me because I took sin seriously beyond new birth to live a holy life. God used Steve Lawson to teach me it and to move forward to where I am today - and the knowledge of the Word to keep moving forward until I reach heaven. Never once did I think of him as a celebrity preacher, nor on a pedestal - only as a man who rightly divided the Word of God. My heart grieves.
Impossible for a Calvinist reformer to “ rightly divide the word.” You’re simply deceived Dennis.
I will pray for you, brother. This so disorienting. But we know that the Word tells us to be wise as serpents gentle as doves. Traveling alone is dangerous for anyone. He should have wanted protection.
@dennisbelkofer1311 take no notice of such as truth seeker. You found the truth, brother, but the general American opinion is shockingly anti-Calvinist. Think they are really against hyperCalvinism which is indeed error. But any man can fall and Steve Lawton’s fall is a tragedy.
@@earlydawn8183 Take a rest early dawn.
Hyper Calvinism is consistent Calvinism.
Steve believes his god decreed all.
Very simple and plain.
Reformed ridiculousness
He is just a man, that's why he falls.. forgave him in comfort him.
I pray for all the pastors and missionaries around the world everyday .
Once again people seem to think the answer is making the opposite sex dangerous instead of taking captive our thoughts and seeing them as our family. The church seems to be agreeing with the world that everything is sexual. We as the church should instead be modeling what it means to have strong, nonsexual, relationships with our sisters and brother of the faith. We must have mothers and fathers of the faith passing down wisdom. Stop being afraid of the family of God.
Take advice on this from the rogue princess
Looking at everyone in the church as a father, mother, brother and sister is the way, I strongly agree with you, the opposite sex are not to be prayed upon or seen as evil.
@briancoles4249 😄 this handle is about 17 years old.
Wisdom is known by her children
I think you missed the point. The opposite sex is not the danger, it is putting oneself in the path of temptation. Never being alone with the opposite sex is a doable practice that is wise counsel. I love my brothers in Christ like brothers but I don't hang out with them without others present.
We are seeing, across the Christian spectrum, the truth of the following: 1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. And, for those who get in their “moral outrage” mode this shows a need to let this saint’s moral failure be a stark reminder of the words of Paul: 1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Amen and Amen and Amen... still working through the outrage because of the horrific effect on fellow true Believers but also the quenching of souls who may turn away from listening to the preaching and teaching of HIS love letter to HIS creation....
Steve would have taught that someone in long term, repetative sin could not be a Christian??
Yes…
Exactly
Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is the breaking of law. 5You know that He was revealed so that He might take away sins and there is no sin in Him. 6Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.
7Little children, let no one deceive you! The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works. 9Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God. 10This is how God’s children - and the Devil’s children - are made evident.
Yes that's what the Bible says.
Not a would have he's on TH-cam saying exactly those things and saying that the sins that happen are good because in the end it's all decreed by god. Think about that this is why the ministry feels invalidated and this is why a lot of these Ministries pull down his stuff so fast because they're worried when people see what he has said realize his hyper strain of Calvinism and what it led to because you cannot live a life that's that focused on an ideology and not the influence with how you walk and ultimately end up sinning. And that's why if anyone thinks he stands take he lets you fall applies as much to me as it does to Lawson or anyone else
Well he's probably stopped now. 😉
the problem with shielding is that the message sounds like platitudes and has less benefit. in a cynical sense it can also be used to shield one’s self from any responsibility.
One thing that I find troubling is that many, many pastors recently starting with Carl Lentz have been guilty of these things and cut down. But it is only when it is one of your own that people call it a catastrophe. When Mr. Lentz was caught, many of these same people held that "air of superiority" and said, "Oh well that's Hillsong. They aren't a real church. They are one of those "celebrity" churches."
💯
It hurts, Zacharias, Evans, and now Lawson for me. And I remembered Judas, my friends and family, and sadly, my deeds, too. I leaned to focus on Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and Our Heavenly Father.
Why not use the name? Why not put shame on him so that others may be warned... This is such a disgrace of the gospel!
Perhaps because he is not an elder authority over him, Trinity Bible Church elders would be his spiritual authority. Regardless, everyone knows who he is talking about.
"INAPPROPRIATE?" Is that what it's called? Here the word "improper" was used. Shouldn't Christians, of all people, be the first to call sin by its proper name: sin? Yet I have yet to hear even one "church leader" refer to this incidence of sexual sin, sexual sin.
A couple of decades ago, the social sciences, sociology especially, became obsessed with all value judgments being "value neutral." One of their techniques was to replace words like wrong, or bad, or wicked, or sinful with the value neutral word inappropriate. Now, rather than a behavior being wrong in the absolute sense, it was only inappropriate, meaning that it was not right ... given the context. Thus, we entered into decades of uttering this five syllable word as a replacement for the former one syllable word: wrong. You have to really want to get rid of the one syllable version if you're willing to do all the work of a five-banger substitute every time something is or goes "wrong." Even we Christian must really hate the word sin.
This came to us through the secular world, the social sciences hellbent on erasing God from the public square. And what do we find among our Christian leaders? Not just more and more sexual sin, but an insistence on using the secular world's label for it: inappropriate.
So it is that I find myself just as disgusted with our cowardly church leaders as our sexually sinful ones. For heavens sake, way back in the 1970s, even the well-known secular psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Menninger of the Menninger Clinic, wrote a book he entitled: "What Ever Became of Sin?" In it he lamented our world's loss of ability to call sin sin, and expounded on the damage to mental health this resulted in. So ... a secular psychiatrist can insist on calling sin sin, but church leaders insist on the secular, anti-God word: inappropriate. And we wonder why, not just "the world," but the church itself is in such bad shape. It makes me want to run through churches on Sunday mornings, running up and down the aisles, just shouting the word "SIN!" I think I'd do two laps around the shocked congregation and zip out the front door before the deacons caught and threw me out. "How uncouth," they'd say to one another. "How embarrassing," would think the pastor, with his mumbling of platitudes interrupted. But I think Jesus would stand up and applaud. (By the way, did Jesus say to the woman taken in adultery: "Go and conduct inappropriate behavior no more." ???
I can see you're angry and frustrated. Thank you for visiting. Wait until all the evidence is laid bare. Meanwhile heed the counsel, weep with those who weep, pray for the churches, love the brethren. Things are still developing. This was given to provide counsel for all the students in his school and we can all benefit from such counsel.
@@patricklacson I'm sorry you missed my point. My problem is not with the "evidence" of this particular case. My concern is the church's conforming to the secularization of Christianity's language. I am well aware of the proper Christian manner of responding to the person involved. I agree with all of that. It is the surrendering of our crucial vocabulary for understanding what we are dealing with ... that is my concern. Words mold our thinking; our thinking determines actions.
I don't know a lot about Lawson so I don't know how "successful" financially that his ministry was. I do know any human being, whether pastor or not, has a tendency to make bad decisions when a little wealth and fame come to them. No matter how strong you think you are, money and fame will make you weak.
People are to be blamed for their sin, but God is to be praised for preserving people. This is just a reminder, to keep us humble because we have no boast over Mr Lawson, because if we’re preserved, it is God. If we stumble it is us. I wonder if Mr Lawson knew the grace of God to preserve him, rather than trying to do it himself…
I think we need to consider that HOW WE RESPOND to these issues says more to the world than the issue itself. Do we pounce? Do we use this as an opportunity to attack what we see as inferior theology? I am heartbroken over this for everyone involved, included Steve Lawson. As a pastor myself, it fills me with humility that I too am vulnerable and must depend on the Lord every moment to keep me from falling. We need each other and the world needs to see a church united in handling the sin but in love and with a humble heart of restoration.
I would also and I wished he would have cautioned this people who are thinking about whether God is calling you into a Christian Ministry like the pastorate to be very very careful that you are not seeking it out because of some kind of Glory or Accolade that you may receive from man because the position is not about you it is about doing what God would have you do to Shepherd a flock. I'm of the belief that we have a generation of pastors perhaps two generations of pastors even where there's a lot of them that are not true Shepherds and they act like hirelings they don't really Shepherd the flock they make it about them the church becomes about them and their personality their way or the highway when scripture would rebuke them on certain things and I'm not saying that Lawson carried himself that way I don't know him and I didn't go to his church I'm not saying that there's anyone reading here who may have a pastor like that but I know people who have and I've seen the hurt that that brings in the damage it does to the gospel and for that reason alone we should be on guard
LOL, how he avoids Lawson's name. Lawson was judging others harshly and declared them as not saved. He himself lived a double life and his adultery lasted 5 years with a woman who could be his grandkid. Is Lawson saved at all? He willingly shamed the name of Christ and is still unrepentant.
This is fun and games to you?
@@mikecude4167 Its funny that you defend him after he revealed himself as a wolf in sheeps clothing. He shredded other pastors for adultery but he was a hypocrite after all. He insulted Christ, hurt his family and mocked the Church. Many will leave the faith after this.
Long winded gibberish salad - what are you trying to say when you keep saying : I want to say … I want to say…! get to the point!!
This is why Christ came to die for our sins... we are grateful
Pray for his victims. Cults pastors are spiritual demons.
Won’t use his name? Like no one knows! I’ve listened enough now bye
The comments here are all over the board. It shows to me our opinions are irrelevant.
This guy is a real piece of work. "The little ones?"
Very good words spoken here. Thank you for sharing it. 🙏
Once upon a time there was a King in Israel...
Poignant. Thank you, brother
No one on earth should trust Al Mohler.
Avoiding women is not the answer. Honoring them as your sisters, as daughters of the Most High. As image bearers of God who have been granted equal honor of the grace of life. Not looking at them as lesser than. and as if our mere existence on this planet is to serve men and their wants and needs. We are partners with you, in Christ, who are working alongside you to take dominion over the planet, not mere helpers. Don't be ignorant of the Evil One's schemes. If another, who is not your wife, appears to you so shiny and appealing to your fleshly egos while Satan's demons simultaneously point out every shortcoming of your wife's, recognize it for what it is. A LIE. LOOK at both your wife and whoever it is that is appearing to you as an angel of light as God's daughters. Flee temptation. Don't play or flirt with it. Get your heart and mind back into submission to Christ. Flee if you must. (I, myself, have had to do that before) Value women. Don't avoid them. Jesus didn't and was in every way a man just as you are. He saw women with holy eyes of love. You can as well. If you have the Holy Spirit - if indeed He dwells within you - you CAN put on the mind of Christ. You can see women as Christ does. Don't view them as a threat, view them as God's own precious ones. There is no reason not to see women as valuable as Jesus did while on this earth. He was alone at the well with a woman. He purely loved women and still does. Take every thought captive to Christ's obedience. Submit to Him, draw nigh to Him, and the evil one will flee. Submit to one another in love.
What a great comment ❤
I agree that we should honor women as sisters in Christ. However, refusing to be alone with a woman who is not your wife IS a way to honor them as sisters in Christ. It isn't that we should think that all women are evil - but it is about being wise to know that our spirit (my spirit, as a man) is willing to obey, but our flesh is weak. (Matt 26:41). Part of what it means to flee temptation and youthful lusts is to not put yourself in situations where you could become prey to them. Especially as pastors, but for all Christians, we must avoid even the appearance of evil by not putting ourselves in any situation that COULD be seen by others as inappropriate - even if nothing happened.
The Billy Graham rule is a good rule. It protects men and women too. We can honor women and value them and do ministry with them without needing to be alone with them.
@jacobhigdon7928 if it's late at night and your sister had to walk a farther distance to her car, in not a great part of town, would you step up and drive her there? Walk her over? Or would Billy Graham get in the way of protecting your sister in Christ? This was a real sinario I heard about. The woman was left to walk to her car, in a strange city, alone, at night, because her brothers did not value her enough.
@@rogueprincess89 the problem here is not that the rule was bad but that the man didn’t know how or when to make an exception
@@briancoles4249 in their minds their is no exception.
Who cares what this sell out thinks
Our ethics professor at NOBTS in '88 said, "Believers and christian leaders are uniquely vulnerable.. As a result, they are easily tempted. Therefore, they should be unusually cautious." Amen.
@@DrDewRag very good word
These men are not "falling" into sin and a plague is not "overtaking" them. They are choosing to sin. The publication of Lawson and his adultery(s) isnt what harms the church and the gospel BUT RATHER sinning pastors!!! That's where the fault lies. If the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, should all millionaire pastors be examined for affairs, pride, bullying, extortion and all manner of cutthroat mafia excess?
Thank you for saying that it's ok to be outraged! I am and you are the first one I've heard say that. This is catastrophic. Steve needs to talk to us!
It seems that the Reformed Baptist camp has surpassed the Charismatics in terms of high-profile celebrity pastors. It's easy to get caught up in the money and fame and lose focus on what's important.
The Apostles who were married carried about their believing wives in ministry. (1 Corinthians 9:5)
Look! STOP calling this an inappropriate relationship! It is what God says it is...ADULTERY!
The fall isn’t nearly a big as you think it is, because you guy’s aren’t as high as you think you are!
Based on 1 Kings 1:1-4... what EXACTLY constitutes an "inappropriate relationship" between an older man and a younger woman?
Matthew chapter 7 verse 21
With all respect for TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE
While I understand people are hurt and disappointed over Lawson's removal from ministry, I am a little disgusted at some of these responses. The man was in an adulterous relationship for FIVE years with a woman in her late 20s, which would mean he began seeing her in her early 20s. Steve Lawson is in his 70s! This is utterly disgusting! Although this does not qualify for being pedophilia, it is reprehensible that a man who preached so hard against sin and prided himself in "expository preaching" began to have an adulterous relationship with a woman who could be his grandchild or perhaps great-grandchild for a duration of time. This is a complete disgrace!
I agree completely with everything you wrote, however I would say: in this instance, the invocation of the pedophilia word is not right. Yes, I know you acknowledged that Lawson's sin was not _that,_ but that really is a CATEGORICALLY different sin. And it has no business being brought up in this discussion.
While I realize you were clear to highlight the obvious: that Lawson's sin is not pedophilia, there is no good reason to even bring up that sin in connection to Steve's sin.
What Lawson did is **awful,** make no mistake. But connecting sin x to a qualitatively different breed of evil, even if the connection is then immediately disclaimed, is not helpful.
TL;DR actual pedophilia is markedly different. It has no business in this conversation. Period.
Sorry tho, pedophilia really has no business being brought up.
@@AnHebrewChild I understand where you are coming from. However, the comparison to pedophilia is simply due to the vast age difference of 50 years. While this may not be considered a civil crime, it is gross. A man who preaches against sin sets himself out to the public as being a godly man and then has an adulterous relationship with someone 50 years his junior is just sick. Moreover, from what Phil Johnson tweeted, the only reason why he confessed was because the young lady's father was going to expose him. I would have more sympathy for Lawson if the woman was his equal (in age) and it was a one-time mistake (he still would need to be removed from ministry). However, this is gross and, indeed, creepy. Just imagine if you were the father OR perhaps grandfather of this young lady and you found this out? Nonetheless, may Steve be healed by the Lord and repent of his sin.
@@No1believer agree. Evidence is still coming out. Mohler may not have known that part. Once all of it comes out, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" says the Lord. For now we grieve for the families involved and weep with those who weep
@@patricklacson No doubt. May the Lord heal all the families involved.
It hurts so much. I pray for everyone affected by this 🙏
A loving, non judgemental, but honest response. Thank you.
Many have experienced an unfaithful spouse's sins. It is horribly destructive. My heart goes out to Dr. Lawson's wife and family. Did it not occur to him that he would hurt them badly, hurt the church and lose his huge ministry? So sad. 😢🙏🙏🙏
Whatever happened to the works of the Holy Spirit? Five years is a long time, and no one was alerted by the works of the Holy Spirit? Because He is still at work. If not then God knows why. May God heal all affected
Why aren’t the women also being called out?
I just saw another video that said they didn’t have any physical contact
She’s guilty but she was only 23 when a 78 y/o, very powerful man pursued her. Don’t point the finger at her without understanding that he has A LOT of power and influence. She was so young and vulnerable.
@@onewotldgovernmentonlywhen9044 Don't be naive. Their affair lasted 5 years and he visited her often in her state. They did it and he needs to repent.
Brother. You guys have a very public ministry.....I DO NOT WANT a political correct SPEACH. DO U HEAR ME!!!
This the Church we have standards the secular world does not have..
You could not even mention his Name.SHAME ON YOU..sweep it under the rug? Is that right?
I want his name spoken
I want his sin spoken out loud. ADULTERY
I want to know what is going to happen to him
I want to know about the other woman. Is she a Jezebel or a victim?
I want ANSWERS. I DEMAND ANSWERS..
YOU SPEECH WAS EXACTLY THAT A SPEECH..
YOU shame yourself your ministry and your church
We need to stop putting a buffer on the sin of adultery by words such as inappropriate relationship!
Satan is working overtime, thinking he has succeeded when we all know that God is using the fall of this man to bring honor and glory to Himself! Its never about us, it's always about Him! This was a wonderful talk of encouragement to God's people. Let's pray for Steve Lawson that he will come to full repentance and get things right with his family and friends.
hope and pray that people will recognize the false gospel that this man preached that has done more damage then any moral faller: Jesus said...Matthew 15:13-14 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
If I recall correctly, Billy Graham had a strict rule for himself that he would NEVER be alone with a woman other than his wife. Good idea.
Lord deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever Amen
I am glad to be a Christian and I am sad for Pastor Steve's fall. I am keeping him and his family in my prayers.
Since when is Dr. Mohler’s opinion on anything relevant. After h went woke hiring the woke professors, who cares.
What does it mean to have an inappropriate relationship with a woman? Did Mr. Lawson commit adulatory?
Wow, imagine if he was sharing about a disqualified pastor who wasn’t his friend.
Dr. Mohler's words are sobering and true. May God keep us all. 💔
Do we really have to meditate and say something about issues like this when someone has fallen? Why not make it part of our regular addresses to our church?
Good thing he was "predestined" for heaven because anyone else would be going to hell
Proverbs 24:16-18
New King James Version
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the Lord see it, and [a]it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.
God bless Albert Mohler for these wise words. I'm sure that getting up there and speaking on this painful and extremely disappointing topic wasn't easy.
When it comes to Pastors falling these days, it's like Queen is singing in the background , "Another one bites the dust".
It is very hard to hear about this, given how great a preacher Lawson was. I mean he clearly cannot be a preacher any longer, but he was truly great.
I find it interesting that no one can seem to actually call it adultery. Just say the word. Inappropriate relationship with a woman not his wife. Just seems to dumb it down and make it less bad. If that had been me the church would be calling it adultery real quick as they started the discipline process.
What a sad response to "situation"!! There should be more concern about doctrines that are being taught that make it easy for a well-educated bible teacher and pastor for decades to fall into this type of sin and stay in it for so long!! If he can't control himself or trust God to enable him to walk holy, then what in the world is he teaching those that are listening to him. Salvation is not all about going to church and being faithful members. A Christian leader, pastor, etc., should be about making disciples!!! There is no way that many of his members are not struggling with sins and find it difficult to overcome them. There are many resources that can help in learning and teaching people how to become disciples. "The Spirit of the Disciplines" by Dallas Willard and "Celebration of the Disciplines" by Richard Foster." Do not trust that your pastor or teacher are themselves always equipped to give you what you need to walk the life of faith. Put your trust in God and His promises to keep and grow you!! Peace and love to you all!!!❤❤❤
Why listen to this man who has proven himself to waver depending on which way the wind blows
Stop acting busy, it's not necessary and only separates spouses constantly. If spouses are alone often they get used to finding substitutes. I'm sorry to say I can tell you from experience.
I truly hope and pray that those of you who know this pastor who has fallen, are reaching out to him and loving on him. He admitted his sin and is hurting right now. He’s angry with himself for letting God down, as well as his family, friends, fellow pastors and flock. He’s in a bad, bad place - not as bad as the place he was in when he allowed temptation to win, but still a bad place.
Well said. Pray for him. Satan is out to steal, kill and destroy in every way he can.
Yeah doctor Mohler , you did not see it coming . But we all know that there's always goat in the realm of Christianity wearing sheep's clothing .
He had some really good words here about how to protect yourself from this sort of Temptation and I think those are wise however Calvinists The Credo position that goes so far as to believing that every sin and its consequences was orchestrated directed and decreed by God and therefore it is good which this other Pastor did say. That anybody who truly believes that is definitely also setting themselves up to be trapped and ensnared by some sin and it may not be this particular sin we all need to be on guard for it pastors especially but all of us. And I think as long as Calvin is keep expounding this Game Theory of God coding everything Rick from creation to the end of Revelation happening exactly the way he wants is just so weird because it means that the Bible is God ranting about himself and what he did take heed brethren read and understand the scripture don't accept presuppositions from a Pulpit above the scripture in your mind
Thanks for the truth, yes for all christian, its like a torndo it deasters to the bes of the homes. So sad
Probably the most cogent and pastoral words shared regarding this current situation.❤
May the gospel go forward with power!
May we continue to watch and pray!
/on a separate note… I hope you have the opportunity to visit with Pastor MacArthur and give him a hug on behalf of all of us who have benefited from his faithful ministry all these years!
I was praying for pastor lawson, we need to uphold our brother in prayer.
I couldn’t have said it better, too much on the women…
When I heard about this something happened within me and I have changed….. can’t explain it or understand it but I am closer to the Lord and my joy in Him has increased.
We all sin and we are all forgiven in Christ
This glorifies Jesus and His work
All this commotion and no one has even been told what sin he committed, if any. What a circus.
Amazing response ~ thank you.
This is the best 12 minutes I have heard from Dr. Mohler in 30 years