Can a sinner preach The Word to others?

Answer 1

Yes, "For all have sinned and falllen short of the glory of God"AnswerAccording to the Bible you can. All men fail to live up to the standard of Christ. We must believe in Him and ask for forgiveness for our sins. We are saved by faith and not how we live. If you believe Jesus died for your sins and have asked forgiveness, you can still preach, no matter the sin. AnswerYes.

James 2:10 - "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."

Moses killed an Egyptian; King David assited in the murder of a soldier to commit adultery with that man's wife, Bathsheba; King Solomon had 700 official wives and 300 concubines, many of which were from foreign lands (not lawful); Saul of Tarsus murdered many Christians before being called Paul the Apostle (who wrotethe majority of the New Testament and preached to many nations out of his distress; and you, you broke some or many of the Ten Commandments and are also guilty --

Yes, all have gone astray and everyone is guilty.

If someone murders, they are deemed a murderer for life. Right? So, have you ever lied? Then that makes you what? A liar. Have you ever stolen anything? Even if it was small? You are a thief. Jesus said if you even so as much as look at another person with lust, you've committed the sin of adultery. Have you ever lusted? You are an adulterer. Have you ever used the name of God in vain? You are a blasphemer. Jesus also mention that just hating someone is as the sin of murder. Have you ever hated anyone? Then that would make you a murderer. And I haven't even finished mentioning all the commandments.

If you're being honest -- then by your own admission -- you would be a lying, thief, and an adulterer, more than likely also a blasphemer, and perhaps a murderer at heart! Yes, lawbreakers are everywhere.

Thank God forgiveness is a reality; we all need it.

It doesn't matter who preaches the message; it's the same eternal message -- the messenger could be a complete sinner without obedience to God -- and many may benefit from the message.

Matthew 7:21 - "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works. And then will I say to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you workers of iniquity."

AnswerIf you want to maintain credibility with your listeners, then you need to be certain that they understand that you have taken steps to avoid making the same mistake and have asked for and accepted forgiveness. AnswerThe Bible, which is after all the very word which a man is meant to preach, and is simultaneously the word of the very same God about whom the preacher will preach, has the answer. Man therefore does not decide this question, but God, and He has some strict qualifications for preachers. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (King James Version)

1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Peter 5:1-3 (King James Version)

1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Apart from various teaching and other qualifications both of these verses contain advice about a preacher being an 'example to the flock.' So, according to God's word, believing in God 'very much' (one wonders what this can mean if a person then goes into gross sin without the power of that very same God delivering Him) is not a qualification to preach, but being a good example is. Christian maturity is also, and surely this would include a proven track record of successfully resisting temptation in the power of God.

The disregard towards God's directions and the replacement of them with man;s opinions is exactly the reason why the Christian church generally is in such a mess.

If, of course, such a person did a really bad sin prior to salvation, that would be a different matter, as long as sufficient time has passed for maturity to be gained and an example of good character in Christ to be set. Note, none of this is 'works righteousness' or earning salvation, but is merely God's qualifications for ministry.

Finally regret is not necessarily the same as Biblical repentance which means a change of mind and includes a complete repudiation and turning from sin. Regret is a somewhat lesser term and so regret alone would be insufficient anyway.