I will pray this little prayer almost every day of my life: “Set a guard upon my mouth, O Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). Let the minister of the Lord pray this prayer before opening God’s Word to proclaim His message.
My insurance man called, but not to sell me a policy. Jim had something else in mind.
He called urging me to vote for a certain candidate for the U.S. Senate. I heard him out; then he insisted that I go to a certain website and watch a video. I thanked him but made no promises. Frankly, listening to claims, arguments, and promises from political candidates is not among my favorite things to do. The attacks and disclaimers are so arbitrary, and voters are rarely treated as though they have a lick of sense with the judgment of an adult that I try to skip them as much as possible.
Later, Jim called to see if I had listened to the tape. He was not happy that I hadn’t.
A couple of days later, I voted absentee since I had to be in another state in revival on election day.
I did not say, and would not say if asked, how I voted.
It’s no one’s business.
1. Pastors should not tell how they vote.
We have greater issues to deal with and bigger fish to fry, as the saying goes.
It’s best if people do not know your politics, your favorite sports teams, and a few other things.
2. Pastors should not tell anything received in confidence.
If the time ever comes–perhaps in another church and years later–when that story can be told, the minister would do well to turn it into a parable, changing enough details to camouflage the reality. I would not be surprised if this is where our Lord got some of His story-parables, although there’s no way to know.
3. Pastors should not tell what their wives or children say without their specific and enthusiastic permission.
If they hesitate and have to be persuaded to grant permission, a wise pastor will back off and respect their privacy. And, even if they grant permission, that permission may be withdrawn at any time without having to justify it.
I suggest recording those great lines in order to use them years later when they become ancient history.
4. Pastors should not say anything off-color or crude.
Want an example? Sorry, Charlie.
5. The pastor should not disparage the president of the United States.
My elderly dad, a lifelong coal miner and union member, was offended at the Bill Clinton jokes an evangelist told in a church where my brother was pastor. Dad was a Democrat, as union members tend to be, but his sensitivity was not personal. He said to me, “What if some lost person were in that church, a Democrat who loves Bill Clinton? He would not have heard another thing that preacher said.” Dad was exactly right.
Leave politics out of the pulpit, pastor. To be sure, there are times to preach issues and values that tie in with national events and current debates. Even then, God’s messenger must be wary of personal attacks or endorsements of certain candidates.
6. Pastors should not reveal their personal finances or play on the guilt and generosity of their members.
No one wants to hear that things are tough at your house, pastor. I guarantee you that some sitting in front of you could outdo your tales of woe, and they’re faithfully serving God. Follow their example.
If it becomes necessary to make certain members aware of your financial need, surely your church has a means for this.
7. Pastors should not lie. And most exaggerations are lies.
To our shame, “ministerial exaggeration” has entered the lexicon to represent gross misrepresentations of the truth.
Over the years, we would hear Billy Graham describing the response God’s message generated. “Hundreds of people received Christ as their Savior.” He could just as easily have said thousands, but he understated it, thus setting a great pattern for the rest of us.
Are there other such things pastors should not reveal? Oh yes.
I know stories about church members that would be R-rated or worse. But, even if the principals are now off the scene, their children are grown, and we are still in contact, to tell their story a) is not my place to do, and b) would revive the most painful memories of their lives. So, it’s not worth it. Such stories will not even show up in my memoirs, even if I ever decide to write such a thing.
You can believe I hope some of the things out of my past will never show up to inflict pain on those I love. Sometimes, I pray for people whom I may have injured with a harsh word, a wrong act, or worse, that the Lord will protect them from hurt and bless them in every way they need blessing.
I want grace and, therefore, want to extend grace in every direction for as long as the Lord enables me.
So, I will pray this little prayer almost every day of my life: “Set a guard upon my mouth, O Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Let the minister of the Lord pray this prayer before opening God’s Word to proclaim His message. Let Him speak the truth in love, and only bless everyone involved.
There is too much pain in the world today. Let’s not add to it.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Vadym Terelyuk
