The worst fraud is that which affects the ministry of the Word. After all, the members of Christ's ministerial body were handpicked for the highest mission: to proclaim the Gospel to the world. When they give in to error, whom will the people trust? Corruption brings great scandal and harm to God's work: Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!  (Luke 17:1)

Those who preach the Gospel, including evangelists, pastors, and teachers of both adults and children, need to be aware that if they bring “strange fire” to God’s altar, they will pay a high price (Numbers 3:4). Therefore, the choice of anyone who occupies a place of honor in the church—from those who welcome people and park cars to those who minister the Word—must fall on Christians of unblemished morals, good biblical knowledge, and fear of God.

The pulpit is a place of excellence in worshiping the Lord, so we must never allow anyone whose testimony is not irreproachable to occupy that place. Now, anyone who buys and does not pay, lies, does not keep their word, breaks their commitments, and has been married several times is not fit to teach or lead the sheep of the Most High. Why let a sinner destroy the flock?

There are cases of people who have been tempted and have been unable to say no to the devil and have fallen into transgression. Look, when any temptation arises in your heart, will you know how to say no? Those who fall but fear God are the first to speak of their fall, for they know they are separated from the Lord. When the first temptation came to Judas Iscariot—to steal Jesus—he should have confessed (1 John 1:9).     

What title did Judas receive in eternity? Thief! (John 12:6). He could have resisted Satan's offers and had a prominent place in the Kingdom of God, but he earned a place in the lake of fire and brimstone, as a subject of the devil. He will be in the abyss, falling forever and ever. May the Lord help those who read me now to get right with Him, because after death, there will be no repentance!

In Jeremiah 5:31, it is said that deception began with false prophets, and priests ruled through their hands. Condemnations will be individualized and suffered for eternity. Billions of years from now, they will still be screaming in pain, for their suffering will have no end: “And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” (Isaiah 66.24).

Why despise the grace of God, who found you, loved you, and regenerated you? Those who do so may think they are giving a strong testimony, but they lie when they say they did nothing when confronted. Will they obtain mercy? See, two sisters served Jesus: Martha and Mary. When Martha, intrigued, asked the Master, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10.40 c; 41 - 42).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares