I am grieved, saddened, bewildered, confused, disappointed, and challenged. If you would have asked me just months ago, “Who would you least expect to fall into some serious sin?” My list of people would be short, but certainly on it would have been Ravi Zacharias. This is why the recent news of Ravi’s sins still has me in disarray. It was hard to read the complete report from his ministry’s Board, as well as the 3rd party that did the thorough investigation.
I have been reflecting on the lessons to be learned from this horrific story. What is the Romans 8:28 in this? What do I need to take to heart as a result of this? What can we all learn from this? Here are my takeaways:
1. My heart goes out to the many victims. May God grant them the grace to heal.
2. I cannot imagine the long-term effects on his wife, children and grandchildren. They will have to live with this the rest of their lives.
3. Those who worked closely with him in the ministry are likely to struggle with false guilt and trust of leadership for some time. I know someone who works for the ministry, and she was completely in shock over the revelations.
4. #1-3 show that sin almost always hurts others in one way or another. Let us stop right now to pray for all those affected by this.
5. “He who conceals his sin will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Years ago a woman came forward with allegations. Ravi had a “Nathan moment” (i.e., Nathan confronting King David) but denied it, lied, and ended up paying money to keep it quiet. This only made it worse, now that the truth has been revealed. What is done in secret will often be brought to light. More importantly, God sees all.
6. No one is beyond temptation and falling. I remember Bill Bright once said, “I am only one decision away from adultery every day.” He did not mean he was flirting with an affair, but rather that he was not above any temptation or choice to sin. No matter how long someone has walked with God or been mightily used by God, he/she must decide each day to obey the Lord and resist temptation. In fact, the more one is used by God, the larger the target on their back. Satan is relentless.
7. Real accountability and protection are essential for each of us. We all need a “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). This is the one who will ask the hard questions, travel with us if necessary, and with whom we can share our secrets. When Billy Graham traveled, he never did so alone; his traveling companion would search his hotel room before he entered (and once found a woman planted to seduce him), and do everything he could to prevent him from being in a situation in which he could fall.
8. Though there will still be consequences for our sin, forgiveness, grace, and healing is always available in Christ … IF we come clean about our sin. To think that Ravi never did that is tragic. With his terminal cancer about to take his life, why did he not repent before he died? How much did the Holy Spirit trouble him about his sin? Did he just ignore numerous attempts by the Lord to bring him to repentance? How did he preach such powerful messages, while living a double life? Was his death by cancer a partial judgment for his sin, like that of Ananias and Saphira (see Acts 5)?
9. What about those who were positively affected by his ministry over the years? There were over 2 million positive comments on twitter when he died. His speaking, writing, and ministry led people to salvation, strengthened many in their faith, and trained up those who are now pastors, missionaries, and apologists. Is this all in vain? NO! But it certainly tarnishes his legacy. I heard someone say, “Truth is truth, regardless of the vessel who brings it, but now his messages and books will never be viewed the same.” The publisher of his books has already taken them off the shelves; his ministry has removed his name and stopped taking donations; and the future of his ministry is uncertain as of this writing.
10. I certainly don’t want to take the “Elder Brother” approach to the Prodigal in this (see Luke 15), or look down a self-righteous nose of judgment upon Ravi, for I am well aware that we are all “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” The old phrase, “But by the grace of God, go I” is so applicable here. The world, the flesh and the Devil are relentless in their attacks. Perhaps the biggest lesson in this is how crucial it is that we abide in the Word, live daily in the power of the Holy Spirit, resist temptation, have at least one trusted accountability person in our life, and be an “open book” as much as possible.
11. It is not as important how we start, or where we are in the middle of the race, but that we be transformed each day, and finish well. I want to finish well! How about you?
12. In my book Pastoring with Passion I have a chapter on “Passion for Purity: Fatal Flaws and Wet Blankets.” Fatal flaws are those areas we are most susceptible to sin. It is what Hebrews 12 describes as “the sin that so easily entangles us”. We each have an area or two that could so easily entangle us, if we don’t keep it in check. We need to name these areas and keep wet blankets on them, lest they burn down our house and the many houses that surround us. Be sure at least one other person knows your fatal flaw, and asks you about it on a regular basis.
13. Though we respect and learn from human leaders, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. If news of Ravi’s sin causes our faith to crumble, then our faith is more in man than in God. Jesus is the only man that has ever walked planet earth and remained sinless.
14. The Gospel of Jesus is still the best news out there. The Gospel contains eternal forgiveness and healing at the core of our being. The Gospel gives us a new identity from which we are motivated to live holy. The Gospel gives us the same power that raised Christ from the dead. The Gospel provides a forever family in which we can have support and encouragement. And the Gospel promises a fresh start whenever we confess and repent of our sin. The Gospel always gives hope, no matter how negative things may seem.
15. Our world is increasingly negative, sinful, discouraging, and far from God, which is why we need the Jesus more than ever. Learn from this situation, and never lose hope, because Jesus came to bring life and life abundantly (John 10:10), and “where sin abounds, grace even more” (Romans 5:20).
I welcome your comments and insights. Let me hear from you.
