What should be our response when a Christian leader falls away or renounces the faith?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible records many instances where believing leaders fell away. The book of Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s belief in God, his turning away from Him, his chastisement by God, and his eventual return to faith. First Samuel tells of how Saul, Israel’s first king, fell away from God when he disobeyed His direct command. Saul’s turn from the Lord grieved Samuel’s heart, and that example gives believers an idea of what our reaction should be to fallen leaders. Even God grieves when His creation turns from Him (Genesis 6:6). But in such situations, we should also be aware that fallen leaders can influence us and others to sin. Believers need to be on guard against temptation while also trying to return the fallen shepherd to the Lord. The Devil is always working to separate believers from God, so our animosity should be aimed at him. Finally, our ultimate leader is God; we should never elevate a human being so much that their fall damages our faith.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• First Samuel 15 presents an example of aligning our hearts with God's when a leader turns away from the faith. When Saul "rejected the word of the LORD" (1 Samuel 15:26), "Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel" (1 Samuel 15:35). When a Christian leader rejects God and His Word, we should grieve over their turning away.
• The book of Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar’s recognition of the Lord as “the Most High God” (3:26) but later shows that he did not acknowledge God’s hand in the greatness of Babylon. After God drove Nebuchadnezzar to live like a wild animal for seven years, Nebuchadnezzar returned to worshipping the Lord and “blessed the Most High” (Daniel 4:30-34).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When the Corinthians were arguing about which leader each of them followed, Paul responded, "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:4-7). Our faith belongs to the Lord alone, not His human servants. We should not follow human leaders to the extent and with the faith by which we follow God.
• Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 5:5 that the purpose for removing an unrepentant sinner from among the believers was "for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord." The Christian leader who is currently renouncing the faith may yet repent and return to the Lord.
• Christian leaders, just like all believers, are targets of the Devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). When a believer falls, we should be aware of the satanic forces behind it.
• In his second letter to Christian believers, Peter assured them that God is "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). When a person rejects the faith, God's heart is grieved; and if we share His perspective, our hearts should be grieved as well.
• So, our first reaction shouldn’t be to treat a fallen believer as an enemy, but rather, to grieve for their fall, show them grace, and pray for their repentance (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; Galatians 6:1).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

“Have you heard about leaving the church?” You can probably fill in that blank with one of the many influential Christian figures who have disappointed us during the past few years by either renouncing their faith or turning to sin. Unbelievers seem almost gleeful at what they call a “fall from grace.” Some believers are so devastated that they begin to doubt their own faith. Others take their anger and hostility out on the former leader when the sin is revealed.

None of those reactions is right.

First, our devotion should be to the message, not the messenger. All human beings are flawed, so our faith should abide in God alone. The apostle Paul warned against giving undue allegiance to church leaders rather than to God, where it rightly belongs.

Anger and hostility are natural initial reactions but shouldn’t be nurtured. Our goal as Christians is to try to restore those who have fallen away. God grieves for the lost and wants them to be restored; we should, too. Consider that Satan gained a foothold with the leader in question; that should evoke our grief and our desire to restore him. Our battle is ultimately spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12).

UNDERSTAND

• When a Christian leader falls away or renounces the faith, we should grieve their fall, not attack them.
• When a Christian leader falls away or renounces the faith, we should extend grace and pray for repentance.
• Our faith must rest in God, not human leaders.

REFLECT

• How do you usually respond when you hear about a leader falling away—does your reaction reflect God's grief and desire for restoration?
• When a Christian leader you respected fell, how did it impact your faith—and what did that show about where your trust was placed?
• Are you regularly praying for your spiritual leaders, knowing they face intense spiritual attacks?

ENGAGE

• How can we keep our faith rooted in God rather than in human leaders?
• Why does the falling away or rejection of the faith of Christian leaders impact people so much, and how does understanding God’s character and Word help our response in these times?
• What are some practical ways we can extend grace and truth to those who have fallen away while still guarding against spiritual harm?