As Christians, our hope is in Christ. Our hope isn’t in pastors, politicians, or any other people. People will fail. People will disappoint. Christ won’t. 

I often pray for sin, including my own, to be exposed. It is exposed first to ourselves. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, we can repent of it or ignore it. If we ignore it, it will eventually be exposed to others. The longer it goes unaddressed, the bigger the exposure will be.

In light of a recent investigation, Ravi Zacharias has been exposed as a predator. He preyed on vulnerable women and used his position and influence for sinful purposes. This was not a one time indiscretion but a lifestyle of deceit. He was accused of inappropriate behavior in 2017 and denied it at the time. His statement was proven false in this investigation that was a result of new allegations. It’s also safe to assume that his actions were not limited to the United States. Although the investigation did not involve other countries, the evidence is there. Sadly, his family is forced to deal with the wake of this discovery. He passed away last year.

His relationship with God is between him and God. God has already judged him. I don’t know much about his ministry, but I know he had a big following. According to the report, he seems to have kept this hidden from everyone other than his victims. If this news shakes you as a Christian, understand Christ is your foundation. That foundation can not be shaken. If this news shakes you because you fear being exposed, then confess, repent, and work towards restoration. If you don’t know about Jesus love for you, message me.

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So, what do we do? 

Pray Psalms 26:2 “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.”

Pray Psalms 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Find the escape that is provided from temptation. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Seek accountability. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 

Hold others accountable. “...If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.” Luke 17:3 

Help those who fall. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

What should we not do?

Think we are good apart from God. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18 

Think we are better than others. “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” Romans 12:3

Think we are incapable of getting caught up in “big sin.” “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” Mark 7:21-22 

Think the good we do is our own doing. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

Put our faith in people. “Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?” Isaiah 2:22 

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His organization initiated the investigation and seems to be transparent and remorseful for his actions and the lack of accountability/oversight. Hopefully this is the beginning of healing for his victims. Hopefully this leads to repentance and restoration among believers. Hopefully other religious organizations evaluate their accountability and safeguards. 

Why write about this? Character of leadership has been an important topic recently among Christians. I think it is wise to hold all leaders to high character standards, but it’s Biblical to hold church leaders to the standards God put in place. Sadly, churches in America haven’t  had a good track record in this area. That has to change. 

I haven’t found any well known Christian leaders address this topic today. As I looked at things today, I saw that the organization’s first statement regarding his guilt was in December. No well known Christian leader seems to have addressed this situation since then. That needs to change. Turning a blind eye to sin committed within the church only harms the church. If this man’s actions are ignored by the church, we have been conformed to this world and lost all credibility. 

Lets pray for his victims, his family, and his organization.

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8