Our Personal Walk with God

By now, I am sure you have read/heard about the downfall of Dr. Steven J. Lawson. I want to share with you some of my thoughts on his situation.

First of all, let’s grieve for the sake of the name of Christ. Any negative response of either believers or unbelievers affects primarily the kingdom of our Lord! Psalm 23:3 says, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” [emphasis mine]. The sad reflections on Dr. Lawson’s personal, family, church, and community reputation is difficult for all involved, yet the greatest harm is to the cause of Christ!

Let’s consider who this man, Dr. Lawson, is. According to a Google Books search, he is listed as:

~ Founder and president of OnePassion Ministries, a ministry designed to bring about a new reformation in the church

~ A Ligonier Ministries Teaching Fellow

~ Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at The Master’s Seminary and serves on its board

~ Hosted the Institute for Expository Preaching

~ Author of 33 books (from another source)

Here is the statement that his church, Trinity Bible Church in Dallas, TX, put out yesterday, September 19:

"The elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas regretfully announce that effective immediately, Steven J. Lawson has been removed indefinitely from all ministry activities at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.  Several days ago, the elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas were informed by Steve Lawson of an inappropriate relationship that he has had with a woman. The elders have met with Steve and will continue to come alongside him and pray for him with the ultimate goal of his personal repentance. Steve will no longer be compensated by Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.

“In light of this, may we be reminded that we are ALL sinners, and Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners - and Christ remains Head of His Church, which is bigger than any fallen man.  In fact, Jesus Christ will continue to lead His Church, including Trinity Bible Church here in Dallas, just like He has from the start of this work on January 5, 2018.  Since that time, the elders have focused on the primacy of biblical exposition knit together by various men filling the pulpit each week.  The Lord was building Trinity Bible Church of Dallas well before Steve became our Lead Preacher, and He will continue to build this church long after Steve Lawson, or any other man for that matter.  We would ask for your prayers for the elders, for our Body, and for Steve and his family.  Let us always be mindful of the words of 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”

I am not going to speculate what his “inappropriate relationship” was, but I wish to share this illustration from my father, Dr. Richard Snavely, who pastored in Findlay, Ohio for 28 years before moving to another pastorate in Florida. While in Ohio, he had a pastor-friend in Toledo, about 45 minutes away from my dad’s church, who ran off with the organist from his church. They were tracked down, returned to their homes, and this pastor publically confessed his sin before the church and resigned. Later, my dad called him on the phone and as part of their counsel time together, Dad asked him what led to his sin. He replied, “I became a professional. I knew how to craft a sermon, and I stopped having my personal devotions.”

Several years ago, I heard Evangelist Tom Farrell speak at a pastor’s conference. He shared how he had heard of several pastors who fell into immorality all within a very short time. They each had a reputation of having a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church, and were known by Tom personally. He made it a goal that when he was in the area where each man lived, he would get together with them. When they met, he would say something like, “I’m not here to judge you, but what led to your sin?” Every one said, “I stopped having my devotions.” As young people today would write: Every. Single. One.

My friends, we are not immune to sin – any sin.

About two weeks ago, I came across this quote by Voddie Baucham:

“The wisest man in the Bible fell into sexual sin; the strongest man in the Bible fell to sexual sin, and the godliest man in the Bible fell to sexual sin.

“For me to think I’m above falling into this sin is to think that I’m wiser than Solomon, stronger than Samson, and godlier than King David.”

When I heard about Dr. Lawson yesterday, the first Scripture that came to mind was II Samuel where the prophet, Nathan, confronts King David about his sin with Bathsheba.

II Samuel 12:9a “Wherefore hast thou despised (to regard as worthless; implies contempt for) the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight?”

II Samuel 12:14 “By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme (to scorn; to talk about without respect).”

So, why have I written this? To encourage and exhort each one of us, as we diligently protect our personal walk with God, to do three things:

1. Guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 “Keep (protect; guard) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [emphasis mine], and enticed.”

The sins one commits originates in one’s own heart.

2. Guard our time. Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that ye walk circumspectly (cautiously, carefully), not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

We need to be intentional in our personal devotional time, prayer time, and study time.

3. Guard our minds. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, … honest, … just, … pure, … lovely, … of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

These are all attributes of or references to God. Don’t let your mind wander. Keep it focused on God.

Where do our minds go when we have “free time?” What are we watching or listening to on our phones/screens when we think no one else is around?

Remember, the devil is not in a hurry to take any of us down; Dr. Lawson is 73 years old. Satan may wait until we have a lot of people following/looking up to us before he applies pressure for us to fall. That way, he has hurt the church and the name of Christ more than if he has taken down a new believer.

May we each journey well and finish strong … for His name’s sake!

Steve Snavely

sdsnavely@gmail.com