Losing Moral Credibility?
The Way Back
The Slow Drift
Think about any successful leader that you know. Across government, industry, or non-profits. Someone you really admire for what they have achieved and the heights they have attained.
Then imagine the compromises they made along the way. Bodies they buried, lies they told, compromises that were forged to achieve consensus, and the many questionable moral decisions that were made. Think of the choices they selected out of self-preservation, selfishness, convenience, frustration, exhaustion, or sheer terror.
As I compose this article, I speak about myself too. I am guilty.
In an earlier article, I wrote about how Saul, a future king, hid among the baggage (1 Samuel 10:22 NLT). Then there's David, who forged a questionable alliance with Achish, the Philistine king (1 Samuel 27:1-7 NLT). To cover up his deception while raiding the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, David left neither man nor woman alive so no one would live to tell the tale (1 Samuel 27:8-12 NLT). Then there's the famous story of David's adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:1-27 NLT).
Moment of Realization
There's a point most leaders eventually get to. It's where we ask with shame, "How did we get here?"
For some of us, we got to the point of great regret because of a conscience seared over many years (1 Timothy 4:2 NLT). Some were lost in the pursuit of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16 NLT). Others told too many half-truths to temporarily save a reputation and now are caught in a complex web of lies.
And so, as leaders, when we finally realize our wrongs, our responses vary. We can:
Hide the issue.
Forge unnatural alliances.
Do anything to save ourselves.
Try to fix the sin.
Step off the stage.
Stepping off the stage is where many end their story. Where, beyond a season of repentance and rehabilitation, they no longer feel they have anything to contribute due to the loss of moral credibility.
But I'm here to remind you that you still have a lot to give. God is not done with you yet, and there's a generation who needs to learn from your mistakes. Perhaps this is your season of succession and discipleship.
A Better Response
Instead of doing everything to save yourself or the situation, have you tried praying instead?
Have you thought of repentance?
Has it occurred to you to stop digging the hole and ask for help, grace, and mercy?
To allow someone else to pay the price for you because you just can't make up for what has been done? To finally let go of your pride and independence?
Jesus says, "A bruised reed He will not break..." (Matthew 12:20 NLT). Scripture also says (pp.), "The sacrifice God desires is a broken spirit. He will not reject a broken and repentant heart." (Psalm 51:17 NLT).
Perhaps it is time to lay your shame at the feet of Jesus and come boldly to a throne that promises mercy (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).
Scripture says:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 NLT)
We have also come to Mount Zion, to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness rather than vengeance (Hebrews 12:22-24 NLT).
"If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." (1 John 1:9 AMPC)
There is a heavenly host that rejoices when one sinner returns to God (Luke 15:10 NLT).
There is a God who desires to rejoice over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT).
Therefore, this is my advice to you:
Come to Him, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT).
"Walk with Him and work with Him. Watch how He does it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace..." (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG pp.)
Come Home
You need to lay your burden down. You can't carry it anymore.
Peter returned.
David repented.
Saul of Tarsus surrendered.
Would you do the same?