Sin can trip up any Christian, given the right opportunity. This past week, Pastor Steve Lawson was “removed indefinitely from all ministry activities at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas” due to “an inappropriate relationship that he has had with a woman,” the church elders announced on their website. “This is a really tragic story,” said David Closson, director of Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview, on “Washington Watch” last week. It serves as “a warning not just for ministry leaders and pastors, but for all of us who are following the Lord.”

“Steve Lawson has been kind of a theological hero for many believers. He has taught for Ligonier Ministries, which was founded by R.C. Sproul. He’s also been a dean and professor at The Master’s Seminary, which is led by John MacArthur,” Closson recounted. But “at some point, if we follow the Lord long enough, someone that we admire in the ministry — these stories come up.”

This is not to excuse the sin, merely to point out that everyone is a sinner in need of grace. “There is never a good outcome with sin,” declared Family Research Council Action President Jody Hice. “All of us have to be very much aware of this and very much mindful of what sin does. It destroys our lives.”

What distinguishes Christians from non-Christians is not superior moral ability but repentance when we do sin. “The Bible is trustworthy, even when the preacher is fallible,” Closson affirmed. “Steve has always held up a high view of God’s word, a high view of the doctrines of grace. And even when the messenger is flawed — even when the messenger sins and sins grievously — the message itself is still true. God’s word is the standard.”

Like a predatory animal, Satan will target any Christian he can get. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” Closson quoted from 1 Peter 5:8. “The devil is real. The temptation of sin is real. None of us are so spiritual, so mature in our faith that we’re immune from the attacks of the enemy.”

It’s common for fallible human beings to respond to such news by thinking, “It could never happen to me.” The Israelites who conquered the Promised Land by their obedience responded this way. When Joshua warned them, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God” (Joshua 24:19), they responded, “No, but we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:21). This can be a noble resolution, but it becomes dangerous when it tempts us to relax our vigilance against sin. The elders of Trinity Baptist Church quoted Paul’s direct warning to people who think this way, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

The fact is, all of us need to hear this warning. I need to hear it. You need to hear it. Closson and Hice and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins need to hear it. Your pastors need to hear it. Your children need to hear it. Sin is always waiting to snare us at the moment when we grow proud and overly confident in our own holiness and self-discipline.

The stakes are even higher for pastors and elders, who are tasked — not only with guarding their own souls — but also with guarding the souls of others, which they do through teaching the word of God. Closson related how one of his seminary professors, Don Whitney, “made all of the seminary students that would take his classes memorize first Timothy 4:16.” There, Paul instructs a young pastor, Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

“Scripture tells us that again, those who aspire to teaching offices have a higher responsibility, a higher accountability,” Closson said. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers,” James warned, “for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:1-2).

“Accountability is huge,” agreed Hice. “It seems as though, most of the time, when these individuals fall, there is a lack of accountability somewhere in their lives. And the truth is, within all of us is the capacity to fall.”

“It is encouraging to see that it appears Dr. Lawson confessed,” said Closson. “He brought this to the attention of the elders. And so, one of the reasons he’s not being excommunicated from his church is that he is pursuing personal repentance.” While not removed from membership, Lawson was removed from his salaried leadership position.

Despite its lies to the contrary, sin always has real consequences. But the good news is that those who repent can find forgiveness in the blood of Jesus Christ, “who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Fighting sin and repenting of sin: these are the bread and butter of the Christian walk.