a deluding influence so that

In 1Sam12:14, Samuel tells the people of Israel that if they "will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God." Sammy ties the king's walk and decision-making to the obedience and heart of the people. Their faith will affect the king's faith. This leads to two important conclusions.

First, the Israelites are partly responsible for Saul's evil. David is always held up as this polar opposite of Saul, and perhaps it had less to do with some innate good in David and innate evil in Saul as it had to do with the collective good or evil in the nation during their respective years of leadership. That also means that some of the stupid decisions a pastor has made or stupid thing a pastor has said (Haggard, Osteen, et al) might possibly be the flock's fault.

Secondly, tied to yesterday's praise for Piper, it's that much more critical that pastors seek purity over popularity and truth over entertainment. They need to disciple their flocks so that their flocks can grow their faith -- in turn growing the faith of the pastor. Reminder to all shepherds that if you want to be closer to His robe, ignoring the body is not the route to go.