26 ¶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
It is a terrible shame when a Christian, particularly a Pastor or a leader in a church body, but really any professing Christian, falls down morally in front of the unsaved. Corrupt and troubled, in this context, are synonymous so a fountain or a spring that has been polluted or made worthless for drinking is likened to that Christian, in our application, who has done this. Jesus said in the context of talking to His Jewish disciples which, I believe, we can rightly apply to our situation practically;
Matthew 5:13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Commentators also point out that the meaning can refer to a good man, righteous only by virtue of him having the Holy Spirit residing in him, humbling himself before the wicked unsaved, wicked because they reject Christ, not calling them on their sin and need for Christ, being afraid or ashamed to confront the person that God has put in your path for the purpose of witnessing.
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The Holy Spirit is then first and foremost, lamenting the fall of Pastors and prominent professing Christians who succumbed to sexual sin or other types of sin, which sin is trumpeted by the unsaved in newspapers and Christianity is mocked in blogs and forums online because of it. As Nathan said to David concerning his wicked sin with Bathsheba;
2 Samuel 12:14a Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme……...
Secondarily, he is pointing out the shame to the cause of Christ when Christians are unwilling to speak of the things of God to the unsaved for fear or shame.
We are not justified by good works, not saved by them, nor do we keep our salvation by simply looking morally pure and keeping our heads down, out of the radar, and we can’t lose our salvation by a moral failing but when we deliberately do wrong and fall, the world is eager to latch onto it as the ultimate truth of Christian faith, that it is an hypocrisy that they are justified in turning away from.
1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
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