They say that when a Christian leader falls, it usually boils down to one of two things, money or “morals.” As we’ve followed the life of David this summer, Israel’s great king didn’t seem to have a problem with the former. His weakness was with the latter, as we discovered in the famous account of David and Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11. 1 – 27). But it raises a very important question: why do good people do bad things?
That’s not just a ho-hum Sunday school question. It seems like every week we read about another CEO, politician, or church official who has been exposed for committing some horrific crime, leaving victims in its wake, and destroying countless lives. The cumulative effect of this culture of scandal is a disillusioned public and a younger generation who is losing all trust in leaders, institutions, and, sadly, even the church. Why do good people do bad things?
All Have Sinned
The short answer, of course, is sin. But simply knowing what the Bible says about sin hasn’t ever stopped anyone from doing it. And before we pull out our copies of the National Enquirer for proof, we need to look honestly at our own lives. How many times have I done the very thing I know I shouldn’t? (Rom. 7. 15 – 25). How many times have I tried to rationalize the ways I’ve offended people around me? How many times have I breezed through the Prayer of Confession without ever coming close to what the Bible calls a “contrite heart”? (Ps. 51. 17). The sad truth is, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3. 23). Why do good people do bad things?
A Calloused Heart
There are many ways our enemy, the devil, lures good people into doing bad things—temptation of all kinds, greed, boredom, pain, pride, success, exhaustion, and many others. But one that I’ve been thinking about, one that is easy to overlook, is what the Bible calls a “calloused heart.” It’s when, for whatever reason, you’ve become emotionally or spiritually indifferent or hardened. What makes this such a dangerous state is you may not even be aware that it’s happening; it feels like business as usual.
Jesus was very clear about the results of a calloused heart, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes” (Matt. 13. 14 – 15; Is. 6. 10). A calloused heart shuts down our ability to hear God or see how he’s at work; that’s when we become the most vulnerable to spiritual attack. I’ve discovered that allowing my heart to become calloused, either spiritually or just relationally, is often the first step away from God, and toward a bad choice. And it can happen to even the most committed followers of Jesus.
My Uncle Eric
When I was I kid, I had a distant relative named Eric Frykenberg; everyone called him “Uncle Eric.” He was a family hero because he and his wife Doris had been missionaries in India for decades. Whenever they came home on furlough, it was a special occasion.
Years later, when I joined the staff of Scripture Union, I was invited to attend the Urbana Missions Conference, sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Over 17,000 students gathered the last week of December for a challenge to serve God in missions. Because I was there as a ministry representative, I had to attend every single meeting. Bor-ing!
But when I looked at the schedule, I noticed that Eric Frykenberg, my Uncle Eric, was one of the speakers! When the day came, his spot was just before lunch. Unfortunately, the speaker before him went way long, so when Uncle Eric finally lumbered up to the podium it was about five minutes before lunch, and the students were eager to bolt for the dining hall.
Uncle Eric began by saying, “I brought this…” and he held up the typed manuscript of his talk, “but there’s no time for it anymore.” He put the pages under the podium and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief. “But…there is one thing I’d like to say,” he continued. For that moment he had everyone’s full attention. “The worst thing that’s happened to me in 50 years of ministry is when this old heart has gotten calloused. Don’t let that happen to you.” With that, he bowed his head and through tears, closed in prayer. The auditorium went silent. In less than a minute, Uncle Eric had humbly communicated the most important part of following Jesus: maintaining a fresh and living relationship with Him. Without that, we’re just going through the motions.
A Melting Heart
Maybe today you feel like your heart has become calloused. If so, my suggestion is that you pray and journal about what’s going on inside. Are there things you need to stop doing? Or start doing? Do you have a need for repentance or reconciliation? Have you been hurt by someone you care about? Are you disappointed with God? Like David in the Psalms, tell God exactly how you feel and ask for his help. For deep heart wounds, you may need to reach out to a Christian counselor, minister, or Priest.
I’ve also discovered that occasionally, despite my best efforts, I can’t get my heart unstuck. At such times a prayer image that helps me is to picture my heart as a cold block of ice and then to imagine God melting it, slowly melting it. Sometimes even when I’m not thinking about that image, I sense a “melting” inside. I become aware that my hurt, anger or frustration is draining. I can’t predict it or explain it, but when that feeling of warmth sneaks up on me in worship or prayer, I know it’s the Holy Spirit and God’s presence begins to feel alive again.
Uncle Eric went home to be with the Lord several years ago. But to this day I still remember his “sermon” about a calloused heart, and it still brings tears to my eyes. Thank you, Uncle Eric.
