Time has passed. Opinions have been spewed. Money has been disseminated. Hopefully, justice has been served. I don’t know! What I do know is, there are some lessons that we can all learn from this situation, to which we are all praying we have heard the last of.

After digesting all of the allegations, photos, opinions, prayer requests, etc., here are a few lessons I’ve noted:

1. Whenever there is a public scandal where there are strong allegations, it’s unfair to jump to conclusions about someone’s innocence because you enjoy their preaching or suspect they are guilty based upon some random litmus test. If all are innocent until proven guilty, all are victims until proven differently. This is especially true for those in the public eye.

2. Time and time again we have seen people “fall” to a few innocent photos taken on a flip phone. Reconsider the use of your phone in transmitting personal photographs. Anyone who you are sleeping with shouldn’t need pictures of you in the bathroom. No matter when and where you choose to be photographed, take in to consideration the places the photo can go when you release it from your possession. Who knew a post-gym bathroom photo and a picture with a drag queen friend would cause such a stir??? (People with common sense)

3. It is not wise to project yourself as a sex symbol in ANY way when you are in ministry. Your primary focus should be to magnify God, which means that in the process of crucifying your flesh… you have to let go of any clothing that brings more attention to areas of your body as opposed to the word of God. 

4. When you have put yourself in certain positions, it’s not wise to liken your experience to certain characters in the Bible. You are not having a Job experience because he was upright and Holy and had done no evil in the sight of the Lord. Even the devil knew that Job was off-limits. If you are have questionable, unbiblical experiences with others, you are not in the same boat as Job.

5. It’s hard being a pastor, I am sure. You cannot do what the world does when it gets horny and wants to experience other lovers. But if you do have some other young men/women that you have been in relationships with, its best to contact them, ask for forgiveness and beg for discretion. I’m just saying!

6. NEVER go on a trip with anyone who would cloud your “witness.” Take someone with you! Take the parents. I also want to re-emphasize the importance of  ”de-sexualizing” your image. Some things make you feel good and I know that when you have worked hard on your body, you want to celebrate the results….but uh… being a sex symbol comes with its challenges!  Enhance your church’s security system and… did I miss anything?