High profile personalities who hold positions of trust in society’s eye are always being watched for character flaws. And when one falls from the heights of ethical and moral decency and plunges to levels of degradation, the media is quick to pickup the chorus, because bad news is “good” news to sell.

Public figures must therefore recognize at all times that they hold the light which defines the standard of their very own trustworthiness. If they ever prove to be less than loyal to the cause for which serve, that light is automatically diminished. This is the pitiful plight of New York’s 48-year-old governor, the Honorable Elliot Spitzer, who had spent most of his time since his inauguration in 2006 fighting against political corruption and Wall Street injustices, and combating rings of prostitution, the very same crime which has led to his own untimely demise.
On Monday, shock came via the media as it was reported that Gov. Spitzer was involved as a client to an international prostitution ring which spans the cities of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London and Paris. It is alleged that the governor remitted fairly large sums of money to this ill-reputed organization, called the Emperors Club, and in February engaged the sexual services of a pretty, petite American prostitute named “Kristen” in a hotel room at Washington’s Mayflower Hotel.

While not directly confessing to any wrong-doing, Spitzer did make a public appearance to solemnly say that he had acted in a way that has violated his obligations to his family, and that he had failed to live up to the standard which he expected for himself.

But what really gets inside the mind of noble figures and cause them to indulge in reproachable acts such as these? Or what motivates people of reputable standing to condescend to low levels and run the risk of losing the respect which they have so well managed to earn – and for which they are so well-noted? Is there some typical trait that marks out prominent individuals for failure?
It would appear that some leaders who are positioned to serve in fields of great endeavor, where they are admired by the masses, become obsessed by impressing their followers and their peers. In some cases, there is a propensity to ambitiously go beyond the realistic to prove to their admirers that they are determined at all costs to conduct the tasks which are expected of them, plus some.

The public figure who demonstrates this show of will must seek to be sincere. Just as he is determined to carry out his responsibilities at all costs, so he must be prepared to demonstrate the intrinsic value of authenticity at all times without fail. However, if the leader is not sincere in his disposition, he is apt to fall prey to the same corruption which he fights against. Notwithstanding, history has proven that some leaders involve themselves in the very same corruption which they “pretend” to abhor just for the sheer experience of it.

Let’s understand this: The forces of good and the pressures of evil are constantly at war. The devil, who manages the realm of evil, is always positioning himself to destroy the advocates of good, who champions the cause of God. Whether one is a preacher or a politician, he is frequently exposed, indiscriminately, to cunning tactics of evil forces. But, he is also privileged to have the forces of good at his disposal, and so it is up to his free volition to choose which voice he will pay greatest allegiance to – whether the call of the devil for evil, or the voice of God for good.

The subtle battle of evil against good is ever raging. It has always been. The devil’s key strategy is the ploy of sensual temptation with which he teases and tantalizes his target through the whims of fantasy, perpetuated by the imagination. A call constantly goes out to right-standing, decent individuals to “take a break” and “indulge for a while”. It’s a call to commit what would ultimately result in shameful, despicable acts, and it is a call that is echoed to those who would endeavor to live above board.

The scriptures should be of encouragement to all who is in leadership positions. And if people would pay regard to God’s precepts for wholesome living, then they would hardly go wrong. 1Corinthians 10:13 says that no temptation has overtaken us except that which is common to all mankind; but God is faithful who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, for He will with the temptation make away of escape so that we would be able to bear it.

Everyday, many regular folk fall victim to the lure of wrongdoings, but again, once the individual is in the political, religious, or social limelight the fall is much more severe, and the damage is even more grievous.

When David was anointed king of Israel after winning notable military battles against the enemies of God, he soon became complacent in his kingly duties and took time out for yielding to sensual temptation. His fantasy drove him to adulterate his own marriage, as well as another man’s, by indulging in a sexual relationship with Bathsheba, a woman who was pleasing to his eyes. It is likely that illicit sexual activity is the one offence which plays more havoc in the lives of leaders than any other factor. But to compound his vicious act of passion, David strategically committed the murder of the poor young woman’s husband.

What was important to David was not so much the fact that he had offended his fellow man or the law, but that he had sinned against the very God who had appointed him king in the first place. And so, it was God to whom he bitterly repented.
Well, I would wish to empathize with the Spitzer family and every well-meaning New Yorker. Though there are those who may be gloating over his failure, Mr. Spitzer has a heart and soul like everyone else, and he along with his family requires some consolation in this time of grief and bewilderment. Since he has vowed to dedicate time to regain his family’s trust, whatever the outcome of this case may be I would hope that he allows the Spirit of God to cleanse his conscience and restore his peace.
Leaders are encouraged to be strong and sincere. As models of morality, they are required to uphold true values and be worthy of the trust that has been placed in them. However, one can hardly lead successfully, free of flaws, while relying only upon his own virtues to preserve him against the rigors that surround his service. None of us are invincible on our own. Leaders must be convinced that faith, coupled with reliance in God, a much higher power than themselves, is what it takes to triumph over the subtle temptations which can potentially orchestrate a shameful fall. He who regards God and trusts in His might instead of his own will never be confounded.

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