Steve Lawson has been removed from ministry at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas due to an inappropriate relationship with a woman who is not his wife. Other places he is affiliated with have acted swiftly to remove him from his duties (e.g., Ligonier, The Masters Seminary, OnePassion Ministries). Clearly his sin was of a very serious nature. Marital unfaithfulness is a grievous sin and rarely an isolated one. Proceeding from pride and unbelief, it involves a great deal of calculation and deception. Adultery strikes at almost every commandment, and in the case of Christians, this sin is heinous, especially in the case of ministers who are held to a higher standard... Ministers possess a “position of authority” that often creates a power imbalance with the person they sin with and against. The honor they receive should be used for good, not evil. Besides breaking the first three commandments, the adulterer (7th commandment) does not respect authority (5th); he is a murderer (6th - hates his neighbour, spouse, children), thief (8th - steals what is not his), liar (9th), and covets (10th). When you commit that many sins, you’re likely to be found out sooner or later (Prov. 10:9). Marital unfaithfulness usually requires a lot of deception, scheming, and work before the persons are eventually found out.
