Does Porn Use Disqualify a Pastor?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 946
Transcript: www.desiringgo...

[@audofit]

As someone who went through many years of marriage counseling with our pastor for this issue, I would be devastated if my pastor was not above reproach in this area. I don't think I could respect him anymore and if nothing was done about the issue, I'd most likely leave that church.

[@ameenahsf]

First just want to say God bless you and your marriage and I hope you have been able to overcome that problem. I too struggled in that area and it's not easy to be open or forthright about just how difficult it can be to overcome. I also completely agree. A pastor is supposed to be on a level to aspire too. Yes they are human and struggle but If i knew ku Pastor was failing in the same area I'm seeking help from, I'd have a big problem with that too.

[@jesusismyking4345]

It’s true, teachers/pastors are held to a higher standard... everyone stumbles but, you have to practice what you preach

[@divinemessenger2030]

Girl u gonna be heartbroken. More than half of them watch it.

[@Papaspronator]

@@divinemessenger2030you say that like it makes it right or ok. It’s evil.

[@born2win259]

Yes, he has to step down. He could help in something else but I don't think he should still be behind the altar. At least not for quite some time..

[@316350]

What if a leader, after 15 years of faithful self-control and sexual victory, has had a one-time lapse in self-control? Are they disqualified if they had a 10 second lapse where they clicked on a link out of curiosity, and then quickly closed the link? They had a lustful curiosity, clicked a link, saw a sexually explicit image, knowing all along that they should turn and leave the setting, but chose not to, then they clicked out of the link, nearly as quickly as they clicked into the link. Afterward, they immediately prayed for forgiveness and repented for the steps they took, they confessed to their spouse, and even let an elder know. Is that pastor, elder, board member, or ministry leader disqualified?

[@hollikrebs]

This is irrelevant and not a valid question because you should know this is not what is happening.

[@hollikrebs]

Why is this a question? Of course a Pastor or Leader in the church is not qualified to lead others if they are lusting and being perverted because that is what porn is. Jesus said if man looks at a woman to lust after her, he is committing adultery with her. Matt.5:28-30. Why do people excuse it? If a Pastor was stealing or raging at his family or doing drugs etc etc would he be qualified to lead others as a spiritual leader? How many many verses are in the Bible about lust? Why do we become worldly and get lukewarm and excuse pornography or any sexual immorality. Did God say our bodies are His and to Honor Him with our bodies.

[@liha810]

I think he should step back from the pulpit and get help. Doesn't mean he isn't called or anointed, but he has to get his lustful, willful passion under control. It starts with them, and if they're watching porn those lust spirits are clinging to him. Plus if he lays hands on people, and he has unconfessed lust he may transfer the demons to others in his church

[@blackout2430]

Everybody is always talking about porn. Porn isn’t really my issue. Masturbating is. And lusting women is also the other problem. I am really trying really hard to stop masturbating and walk in God‘s path, but it is so hard to not do it at least once or twice a week. I feel like I am better for it because I get so angry and irritable. Especially since I am single. I just keep praying to the Lord to give me strength and to walk with me and guide me

[@SamOwenI]

One of the reasons why the question is unhelpful is because it is non-specific. Ask 10 Christians what "pastor using pornpgraphy" means and you will get a variety of answers. Piper seems to also assume the pastor in question is married - not everybody would make that assumption. I think we need to be very precise, very caring and very careful when we deal with this subject. There will be plenty of people in our churches exposed to and wrestling with pornography - men, women, boys and girls - and pornpgraphy in different forms. This needs precision and most of all, the gospel of grace needs to be continually taught.

[@ladybugblu60]

What makes a "pastor" any different from a "lay" person. It is us who put these people in a different category. This is why Christ talked about this in the Gospels and hated titles and said call no one teacher for you have one Teacher (christ). We are all supposed to be brothers and sisters.

[@SamOwenI]

In the bible you do have the role of elders. I agree with you that it is wrong to expect a sin-free life in elders and not lay people. I do think Piper's answer here is very poor and unhelpful, but that does not mean elders are a biblical office in the church.

[@jamiespinks3657]

No, it is the scriptures that place pastors in a different category, refer to 1 Timothy 3:2-7.

[@DavidLopez-jw2lb]

You are wrong

[@craigd9896]

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence. 4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? 7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging

[@joshuamercer854]

Craig none of those laws apply to you are less you are a Jewish person under the old covenant. This is throughly discussed through out the New Testament. Have you read it? You can’t break a law you are under no obligation to keep. However it still has much value to us to study as Christians.

[@chrisskinner2416]

How to read the Bible out of context 101. Maybe do a little more research before mocking the Christian faith and Old Testament scriptures.

[@craigd9896]

@@chrisskinner2416 I am not mocking the Christian faith, I am a Christian. Im just calling out the so called christians who mis-quote and mis-use the Bible. God love all equally, no exceptions. Homosexuality is not a sin.

[@ih8mcfly]

What’s wrong with porn? What if he is starring in it himself ?

[@chrisgraham9773]

1 Thessalonians 4:3

[@ih8mcfly]

@@chrisgraham9773 what’s that mate?

[@chrisgraham9773]

@@ih8mcfly Bible verse

[@ih8mcfly]

@@chrisgraham9773 which version mate ?