Posted on 04/27/2021 6:54:33 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
It is now fairly common knowledge that Ravi Zacharias—a spiritual hero to multitudes—had for many years been living a secret life of manipulative, vile, and even predatory sexual immorality, spiritual deceit, and professional duplicity.
It’s hard to imagine that a person of such influence ventured as far into evil as he did. Even on his deathbed—surely suspecting his disgusting deeds would eventually come to light after he was gone—he did not repent. It knocks the wind out of us, gives ugly opportunity to our critics, and leaves many furious to the core.
Stunned, shocked, and shaken, some don’t know how to process this kind of news and don’t even know where to start. If that describes you, I’d like to offer five principles to help you get going again.
First, guard your own soul. The details of any pattern of immorality are important for the main players to know. Agreed. Paul says dark deeds must be exposed (Eph. 5:11)—partly to rebuke the guilty as a warning to others (1 Tim. 5:20), and also, in this case, to determine the extent of the damage so victims can be vindicated and cared for. He says next, though, that “it is disgraceful even to speak of those things done in secret,” that is, to dwell on the evil that has come to light.
Solomon warns that a whisperer’s words penetrate deep into our hearts (Prov. 18:8). When you hear vile things about anyone, the words and images stick. Even when true, the information can still sully your soul and corrupt you.
Trust me on this. For most of us, the less we know about the specifics, the better. “Be innocent in what is evil,” Paul counsels (Rom. 16:19). When you dig into the dirt, you’re going to get dirty. Sin is ugly, so steer clear of the sordid details unless you have a genuine need to know. Most of us don’t. It won’t help you, and it won’t help the victims.
So, guard yourself by staying out of the skirmish. It’s a principle I’ve followed for years, and I’m the better for it. The less the talk, the less the damage. “Where there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,” Proverbs says. Let the proper people right the wrong; the rest of us can let it go.
Second, do not be surprised when sinners sin. When a spiritual icon tumbles, I’m shocked, but I am not shaken. I’m shocked because it’s inexcusable for someone in Christian leadership to sin egregiously and continuously. I’m not shaken, though, because I am aware of what human beings are capable of.
From the beginning, Jesus did not entrust himself to those who believed in him since he knew what was in man (Jn. 2:24–25). We know, too, if we take our Bibles seriously.
Sin crouches at the door of even the “greatest” among us. Everyone is vulnerable. Everyone is capable. How could a major figure suffer a major fall? Easy, if he is not vigilant, so be on your guard.
Christ is good, but he is the only one. Paul warned even “spiritual” Christians who were properly correcting others to look to themselves lest they also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). It is healthy to have heroes, to have people we look up to and aspire to emulate. It is not healthy to forget we’re all deeply, radically fallen, even our heroes.
Third, remember, truth is still true. It is tempting—especially to outsiders—to denigrate Christianity because of the failings of a Christian leader. The impulse is understandable, but it’s a false move. One’s witness may be disqualified, to be sure, but the truth taught is not nullified.
Nothing about our convictions regarding God or salvation rests on the shoulders of any human being save Jesus of Nazareth.
The noble words or sound instruction of any fallen hero are no less noble or sound because of his failures. Whatever is true about Christianity or Christian virtue is just as true after a moral defeat as before. Whatever is true when spoken or written by a good man is still true when spoken or written by a bad man.
So, no one’s sin invalidates truth. Indeed, Paul rejoiced when Christ was proclaimed by anyone, even duplicitous men (Phil. 1:18). If you benefited from a hero who later fell, take heart. God uses even the worst of men to help the rest of us.
Fourth, do not become cynical. The impulse is strong to cast a jaundiced eye towards other Christian leaders, wondering what secrets they may be hiding. Don’t do that. Do not allow failure of the few to cause suspicion of the many.
Yes, when respected leaders falter badly, it’s natural to wonder, Who can I trust? The answer is simple. Trust everyone you have no reason to mistrust, which is most people you know.
Will you be wrong sometimes? Yes, but rarely. The vast multitude of spiritual leaders live noble lives and serve the Lord with honor. Thinking charitably of them is a virtue and a healthy habit to nurture.
Finally, firmly resolve to finish well. The goal of my life is to complete the course. When I finally cross over, I want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Make that your goal, as well.
Of course, we need help to do that. If there is darkness in your life, bring it into the light with a trusted friend, and its hold on you will weaken considerably. The Holy Spirit is committed to making you holy, too. Your part is to be vigilant and to fight sin to your last breath.
I cannot promise that these five principles will alleviate all your pain, quiet all your confusion, or quell all your anger when one of your spiritual heroes falls. These points have served me well for many years, though, and I trust they will guide you well, too.
good reminders, all of us are vulnerable, work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God at work in us to will and to work to His good pleasure
Not cynical. But I get relief in some sarcasm.
I’m a realist and therefore, naturaly skeptical. And in fact, most of the time, contrarian.
I suspect he was not born again (Acts 2:38,39). He may have had an experience after hearing the gospel (conviction, warm feelings, joy, enthusiasm, etc).
Is conviction a sign of being born again?... No, the Jews that saw and heard the Spirit-filled 120 glorifying God, were not born again when they were pricked in their hearts by Peter’s words (Acts 2:37). Is joy a sign of being born again?... Again, no. The Samaritans received the gospel with joy, but were not born again yet.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
So who is Ravi Zacharias?
“I suspect he was not born again.”
Whoa. Christians are not perfect. To damn the guy because of an alleged sinful pattern is pretty damnable in itself.
So, if you’ve ever sinned, you are hell-bound? That’s not the gospel, friend.
If you’ve never heard of Ravi Zacharias, you’ve probably never really dug deep into Christian apologetics. I encourage you to use your favorite search engine to learn a bit about him. The Lord has used that sinful man to bring about a great deal of good. I’ve personally been blessed because of Ravi’s ministry.
Are the claims accurate? I don’t think so. However, God has not changed. He will judge with perfect criteria. The man could not have the Holy Spirit guiding him into the accused patterns.
I too was blessed by Ravi’s writings. His dark side and the revelations of it have caused a lot of anguish among many people that I know including my wife.
I prefer to put the ideas on a pedestal and avoid trying to put people on a pedestal as much as possible. It’s hard sometimes, but over the years I have found it is for the best because all people (me too) are capable of individual failure.
This one was very devastating for many people.
No 1 rule. Don’t even THINK about cheating on your wife
Follow that and you’ll probably be in good shape
Thanks for your reply, friend.
Was I judging his soul? I simply made an observation from information available. I said, “I suspect..”; not, “He is going to hell..”. A ‘suspect’ is not yet judged. It’s more like, “Did this guy really love God after all?”
Jesus kindly rebuked the Pharisee (that had invited him to dine at his home), telling the man that he ‘loveth little’.
In Hebrews 12:15-17, we read of Esau not finding repentance.
The seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 show that the individual has to ‘overcome’.
That said, was Mr Zacharias even born again? I didn’t listen to him very much; maybe a dozen hours total on the radio. And I do not recall him teaching the Acts 2:38 conversion command, given by Peter (under orders from Jesus Christ).
Good post. Thanks.
Good article and wonderful advice!
Even king David sinned greatly, yet there is no doubt that he loved the Lord and will be in heaven with the rest of the “bride” of Christ.
Zuriel, how do we know that Zacharias did not repent in private (ask God for forgiveness) before he died? Satan would like us to believe that he did not repent and that all Ravi’s teaching was lies.
Ministers are human. They will sin. If they repent and confess, they will be forgiven. However, the most egregious to me are those who knowingly, willfully and intentionally hide behind their false veil of religious purity as a means to commit sin and hide it from man. . . it cannot be hidden from God. They are stealing respect and support they do not deserve.
“I prefer to put the ideas on a pedestal and avoid trying to put people on a pedestal as much as possible.”
What a great way to put it. You’re right.
I assume that, if the allegations are true, Ravi came to take his anointing for granted. And instead of daily relying on the Giver of the gifts he possessed, he just coasted on his own ability. And drifted. Which is sad, and sobering.
**Zuriel, how do we know that Zacharias did not repent in private (ask God for forgiveness) before he died?**
We simply don’t know one way or the other. That’s why it is called hope.
“For we are saved by hope:..” (the hope of eternal life with God)... “but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” Rom. 8:24 KJV
I have not seen absolute proof that any of my deceased family members or friends are heaven bound. It is a hope.
**Satan would like us to believe that he did not repent and that all Ravi’s teaching was lies.**
Satan wants us to do things contrary to the will of God. That includes making ourselves judges of souls that have passed. We can wonder about someone, considering what knowledge of the person we have.
Ahimaaz (2Sam. 18:19-33) was “a good man, and cometh with good tidings” (vs 27); yet this Ahimaaz took the easy way (vs 23) to deliver his incomplete message (vs 22). Joab knew that Cushi was witness to the end of Absalom, and therefore sent him to David. Ahimaaz was not, although he had seen that David’s army had prevailed, and therefore had a measure of witness, but not all. He was not called, but ran anyway.
I appreciate the reply, and the Scripture references. I’ve read them just now, and they are challenging/encouraging.
Yes, I have no doubt that Ravi was born again. He knew and understood the gospel, and preached it with clarity and empathy.
That said, if the allegations are true, it is tragic that he acted so sinfully, so foolishly. If the allegations are true, then his behavior has injured a lot of people.
May we all strive to be more like Billy Graham, who though a sinner in need of a Savior appears to have finished well. We follow Paul as he followed Christ, as Scripture says; I think we can do the same with Billy Graham, following the good examples he practiced as a follower of Jesus.
It’s really too bad we can’t freely say the same about Ravi, who appears not to have finished so well. Memento mori.
Well said. Heartbreaking.
Not the Protestant variety. John Henry Newman made it all coalesce for me.
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