Lately, I’ve been thinking about character—the kind that lasts. The kind that stands when storms come, when opportunities test us, and when nobody’s watching.
We often talk about purpose, calling, and favor, but the truth is, what we choose to submit our lives to will shape us. It will refine the parts of our character that need work so that when adversity shows up, we can stand tall. Integrity isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being consistent—allowing God to shape us from the inside out.
Yes, we hear all the time that no one is perfect, but that doesn’t excuse us from striving to live in a way that reflects the God we serve. Jesus already handled our righteousness at the Cross. He gave His life so that we could be made right before a holy God after sin in the garden broke that relationship. Because of that, our daily walk isn’t about earning righteousness—it’s about living from it.
Still, there’s this everyday sense of personal alignment we all wrestle with—where we check ourselves, not from a place of self-righteousness, but from a desire to walk uprightly. It’s about making choices that align with what we know is right, even when no one else sees it.
And just to be clear—I’m not writing this from a pedestal. I’ll be honest—most days I’m doing about 75–80 mph in a 65 zone. Sometimes it’s because I’m rushing against the clock, but other times, I possibly just enjoy the idea of pushing the speed limits. That’s a story for another newsletter. Still, it makes me think about how easy it is to drift from the “law of the land” when we think no one’s watching—and after we’ve already scanned for our friendly state patrol officers.
Those small, seemingly harmless moments often reveal more about our character than we realize and how easily we justify things when we believe no one will notice.
In the Old Testament, God’s law was full of rules, regulations, and rituals meant to keep people aligned with Him. But Jesus simplified it beautifully: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. When that’s in order, we naturally operate in love, honesty, and integrity—because we care about doing what’s right for others.
When Character Issues Become Headlines
So many people—both in and outside of the faith—are falling publicly, often because of private character cracks that went unaddressed. This isn’t about judgment; it’s about awareness. It’s a reminder that gifting can take us places our character isn’t ready to sustain.
We’ve seen it again and again:
🔹 Carl Lentz
Once the widely recognized pastor of Hillsong NYC, Carl Lentz became known for his charisma, cultural influence, and connections to celebrities. His moral failure in 2020 led to his removal from ministry, followed by a public unraveling of image and identity. Later, in interviews and his podcast Lights On, Lentz shared how spiritual emptiness and isolation took root long before the fall.
He admitted that he “didn’t protect [his] own spirit” and allowed success, pressure, and exhaustion to replace prayer, humility, and accountability. He described the painful realization that he had built ministry momentum from an empty place.
Reflection:
His story reminds us that giftedness is not the same as godliness. You can have impact and still lack intimacy. The higher we rise, the more vital it becomes to slow down, be refilled, and stay honest about the condition of our hearts.
- Guard your inner life as carefully as your public one.
- Don’t let platform silence your conscience.
- Find people who can tell you the truth before the world has to.
And as I was thinking about this, I couldn’t help but see the connection to Exodus 27. God gave specific instructions for how His presence was to be carried—the Ark of the Covenant had to be lifted by the poles, not by human hands. It was never meant to be carried in human strength.
When we try to “carry” the things of God—His callings, His ministry, even His presence—in our own power, it may not bring instant physical death, but it can drain the life out of what God intended to live.
The danger isn’t always rebellion—it’s assumption. We assume because God is with us, we can handle it our way. But holy things must be handled God’s way.
🔹 Michael Tait
As a member of the Newsboys and formerly DC Talk, Michael Tait spent decades in Christian music. In 2025, he released a public confession, saying he had lived “two different lives”—one polished and public, the other private and broken.
He wrote, “For some two decades I used and abused… I am ashamed. I have lied and deceived my family, friends, and fans.”
Reflection:
His words carry the weight of truth: dual living destroys peace. Image management might win applause, but it cannot sustain integrity.
- Live consistently, even when no one’s watching.
- Dependence on God keeps the heart whole.
- You can’t live healed while you’re still hiding.
🔹 Todd Bentley
Todd Bentley’s ministry rose quickly during the Lakeland Revival, drawing global attention for miracles and manifestations. But as often happens when power outpaces character, moral failures and accountability issues emerged.
Reflection:
His story reminds us that zeal without humility is dangerous.
- Character must always lead charisma.
- Spiritual authority requires spiritual accountability.
- If humility doesn’t go with you to the platform, pride will meet you there.
🔹 Dr. Tony Evans
A respected voice across generations, Dr. Evans stepped down from leadership in 2024 after acknowledging “a sin” and failure in judgment. His church guided him through a full process of discipline and restoration, affirming completion a year later.
Social media erupted with criticism because he didn’t share specifics—but Scripture doesn’t call for public exposure of every private failure. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
Confession is for healing, not headlines. God already knows, and restoration handled quietly can still be restoration done right.
The Power and Purpose of Confession
The purpose of confession is not public entertainment—it’s personal healing. It’s about honesty before God and trusted community. Yes, there are times when confession must be public, especially when harm or abuse has occurred, but not every stumble is meant for a headline.
Confession frees us from guilt and shame. It loosens the grip of secrecy. It realigns our hearts with God’s grace and gives space for genuine healing. It reminds us that forgiveness was already secured at the Cross—past, present, and future.
Transparency and Heart Work
Transparency matters. Restoration starts when someone is willing to let the light in, admit failures, and walk humbly before God and others. When we ignore or hide areas of weakness or undealt-with trauma, they don’t disappear—they wait for moments of pressure to surface.
Moments of pressure reveal weak spots in our character. No one wants to hear that until they experience it in the hardest way. Surrender before pressure comes is far less painful than exposure after it does.
Yielding early allows God to deal with our hearts privately—through prayer, counsel, and grace.
The God Who Keeps Us From Falling
Restoration is always possible. We serve a God who is always about healing and restoration—but He is also able to keep us from falling.
The word keep (from the Greek phulassō) means to guard, protect, and preserve. It paints the picture of a watchman who actively shields what belongs to Him. God doesn’t just pick us up when we fall—He positions us to stand.
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” — Jude 24
That’s the God we serve—One who restores, but also one who sustains. He not only redeems what’s broken but also strengthens what still stands.
Closing Encouragement
If you’ve found yourself managing the weight of assignments—whether at work, at home, or in ministry—in your own strength, take heart. You were never meant to run this race alone. God designed you for connection, for community, and for dependence on Him.
Let go of the pressure to carry everything yourself. Let God assist you today. He delights in strengthening those who lean on Him. When we surrender the burden of doing, we step into the beauty of being—being covered, supported, and sustained by grace.
Prayer
Father, thank You for being my keeper and strength.
When I’m tempted to carry more than You’ve asked me to, remind me that Your grace is enough.
Help me to release control, to rest in Your presence, and to allow others to walk beside me in this journey.
Teach me to value character over image, humility over pride, and surrender over striving.
May my heart be soft before You and my life reflect Your sustaining grace each day.