Strategies to Keep from Falling
Randy C. Alcorn
July 1, 1996
Of all the articles Leadership has published, this may be the most photocopied.
We still get requests for it, eight years later, because the author offered
specific, practical steps for handling a common and powerful temptation.
When we decided to reprint it, we asked Randy what has happened since the
article first appeared. He writes: "I wasn't prepared for the extent to which
this article would strike a resonant chord among pastors and parachurch workers
around the world. Professors distributed copies to students, missions
organizations circulated it to their fields, pastors quoted sections from
the pulpit, radio preachers read the list of immorality's consequences.
"One pastor left this message on my answering machine: 'Just wanted you to
know that I was on the verge of committing adultery with a woman in my church
when I read your booklet [based on the article]. God used it to get hold
of me. I cut off the relationship and straightened out my life before tragedy
struck. I just wanted to say thanks.'"
"Something terrible has happened." The tense voice was my friend's, calling
from across the country. "Yesterday our pastor left his wife and ran off
with another woman."
I was sad, but not shocked or even surprised. Fifteen years ago I would have
been shocked. Ten years ago I would have been surprised. But I've heard the
same story too many times now ever to be surprised again.
I recently spoke on sexual purity at a Bible college. During that week, many
students came for counseling, including three I'll call Rachel, Barb, and
Pam.
Rachel got right to the point: "My parents sent me to one of our pastors
for counseling, and I ended up sleeping with him." Later the same day, Barb,
a church leader's ...
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