I don’t remember the year, but it was a while ago. I went to school in Syracuse on a large printer. The school was ten weeks, which was as long as any school I went to. It was the first time I had heard of someone called Jimmy Swaggart. In the parking lot of the hotel where I was staying were three big semis with his name and photo on the side of them. From that, I could tell he was a preacher, but I had no idea what church he represented or what he taught.

Some months later, I saw him preaching on TV. He seemed to be genuine. His words were right and certainly most of what he was teaching seemed to be legitimate. He certainly had a huge following. Still, I was reluctant to refer anyone to him. I don’t know, but something inside me told me to steer clear of him.

Years later, it became public that he was taking photos of prostitutes. It would see he stumbled and he fell, big time. It was on all the news and it would seem to be celebrated.

And so it is that men do such things everyday and worse. No one says anything. It is not on the news. If something does make the news, it is only a few words. It is only those who stumble and fall big time that get their name in print, and then only after the the fact. There was not much news about Swaggart before he fell. Indeed, he probably hardly rated a mention on the internet.

The world loves it when someone such as he stumbles and falls on his face with great embarrassment. Moreover, the accusations fly the instant someone stumbles at all, even if it is falsely reported. Those who stand behind the pulpit and preach, more so than all others much be particularly careful. The world is watching ready to pounce on them. The world loves it when they stumble. I have seen it over and over.

I suppose those that study human behavior have their theories. Maybe I can share a couple of mine. Certainly, right at the top, people say, “You see. He’s like everyone else so why should we believe him?” In a way, it gives the unbelievers a reason, an argument why they shouldn’t believe. It justifies their non-belief.

I do have a little different point of view. If what they are teaching is true, what benefit is it to anyone when he fails. Moreover, we all fail. Sin is an illness common to humans, no matter how many sermons they preach or no matter how accurate his message is.

If the best soldier in the platoon falls wounded, is that good? Do we want to stand over him and mock him. Well, preachers, the real preachers are soldiers in a way. They help fight evil and spread the plan of salvation. They are the leaders we should look to. Are we to laugh and mock those that fall flat on their face?

Maybe, as in the case of the soldier, we should help them up, provide help, and maybe bring them back to their feet.

If you are the type that takes pleasure in seeing the Godly stumble then fall, maybe it is time to take a good look at yourself. None of us are immune to such a thing.

The Bible says we are to look to Jesus Christ as our example. All humans are subject to failing us. There is a saying, never get to know your hero. They will always disappoint you. However, it is good to get to know Jesus. He never will never fail you no matter how well you get to know Him.

As for Jimmy Swaggart, his church refused to reinstate him. However, as near as I can tell, Swaggart’s pride would not allow himself to be subject to his church. I suspect the same might be said about his willingness to follow the instructions of God himself. He has decided to separate himself from his church and go out on his own.

Every now and then, I hear of him. However, if he is being a soldier for God, it is nowhere near as before. He has nowhere near the following. I say this not to belittle him all the more but to point out the problems of stumbling and falling, especially for the ones who are most followed.

As an aside, when someone does fall like that, maybe they were never an anointed leader in the first place. It might have all been a big show. Some have big egos, you know. They love the attention and they love the money. The Bible calls them false prophets. If Swaggart was a false prophet, then he never never had far to fall in the first place.