Autopsy of a Moral Fall (2016)
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
No Person Suddenly Falls
“No tree suddenly rots and collapses. No church suddenly splits. No marriage suddenly fractures. No life suddenly falls. It’s a process. You’re in the process. I’m in the process. It’s always going on. And the enemy is so patient and brilliant. He’ll take years and just drop a little here and there to keep you interested, keep you curious.”
Disobedience Weakened David’s Soul
“He has no idea what in the next 20 years would happen, but the success of David’s life is like a rooftop on the rise. Never once a defeat in battle. Think of that. Never once did Israel lose a battle under David’s rule. He expanded the borders from 6,000 to 60,000 square miles. And as I mentioned, the prosperity and the pride of the country, the patriotism must have been magnificent. He built a beautiful home, his own palace for him and his many wives, and he kept adding to his harem, and it kept weakening his soul. Life went on, but who was going to confront David of the fact that he had broken with what Moses had written. Who confronts a king like this, which is part of the issue you will face as a leader, especially if God blesses your life with success, as we measure success.”
Run from Lust
“By the way, lust doesn’t grow when you’re busily engaged in your work. Another one that works is running. ‘Flee youthful lusts.’ That works. You cannot lust and run at the same time.”
Are You Willingly and Consistently Accountable to Others?
“I carry accountability questions that we ask in our accountability group periodically to the other men in the group. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising? Answer that question. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material? Answer that question . . . Have you spent adequate time in your own personal study of the Scriptures and prayer? Have you given priority time to your family? The last question is the killer. Have you just lied to me? It’s called being accountable. You accountable to anybody? Willingly, deliberately, consistently. Remain accountable.”
Guard Your Leisure
“To keep from thinking we’re safe, let me give you two comments. First, acknowledge your weakness. Acknowledge your weakness. And second, guard your leisure. You will be trusted with privacy. Be careful about that. Acknowledge your weakness, guard your leisure.”
Additional Resources
First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.
Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.
Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.
Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
