7 Things That Can Make A Christian Minister Fall
1) Legalism
1Tim.1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
[4] Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
[5] Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
[6] From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
[7] Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
So many times over the years I have seen born again believers lose themselves in self-righteousness. Beginning to use the law as a basis for their faith. Forgetting the law was nailed to the cross. They begin to walk by sight and not by faith.
2) Pride
1Tim.3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Many a good minister has taken a great fall from the pinnacle of pride. We need to be ever mindful it is God that gives increase and not we ourselves. We need to ever be humble in the sight of God.
3) A bad testimony
1Tim.3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
A good report of those who are lost? Yes indeed. If a man is seeking to be a minister it is just common prudence to check on his references. Did he have a secular employer? If so, what kind of reputation did he have among his co-workers and employer? Was he industrious? Was he honest? Was he punctual? All of these tell something of the character of a person and according to the Word of God can impact his ministry.
4) Money
1Tim.6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A minister should always be mindful the ministry is not for the purpose of making us wealthy but rather a service for Jesus. If you start to worry about the money, before you know it you will be sacrificing sound doctrine in an effort to please the givers.
5) Education
1 Ti 6:[20] O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
[21] Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
In itself education can be a good thing. But an education which does not hold the Word of God as its core curriculum will lead one astray. The Word of God (KJV-1611)is the source of all doctrine. It is the standard for the man of God to preach, teach and to live. Any science that does not agree with the Bible is false science.
6) False doctrine
11 Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
The standard of faith being the Word of God (KJV-1611), it is where all doctrine is derived from. Man’s opinion is not important. We should always refer to the Book for truth.
7) Love of the world
11 Ti 4:[10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
We are indeed in the world but not of the world. We labor for a treasure laid up beyond this world. When the things of this world hinder our service it is time to let them go. Our focus should be on the eternal and not this temporal ball we live on.