Living Such Good Lives


12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

Rev. Billy Graham and Vice President Mike Pence are two modern day examples of this verse. Billy Graham knew that money, sex, and power were the temptations he would need to guard against as he began his ministry. He put safeguards in place to prevent the appearances of evil or misconduct.

1. Operate with financial transparency
2. Avoid even the appearance of sexual immorality
3. Avoid criticizing other pastors and churches
4. Be painstakingly honest in all publicity

The most famous of these safeguards was number 2, to avoid even the appearance of sexual immorality. He never was alone when a female entered the room or an elevator. He even had someone go into his hotel room to make sure no one was hiding in the room (to avoid a lady jumping into his arms with a photographer nearby to snap the photo). Mike Pence also adopted this policy so that he never had lunch or dinner with a woman other than his wife, unless his wife was present.

Unfortunately those two men are considered the extremes instead of the standard. People are watching us even if we think they aren’t, and they may be making a judgment about our faith. Of course the answer to this is simple: what would you say and do if you knew your life was being filmed?

Are you doing anything that is “cringe-worthy?”

Would you do anything differently?


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