the full story – Michael Guglielmucci’s Deception

Almost a month ago, Michael Guglielmucci, a pastor in Australia who had written and sung “Healer” on the latest Hillsong album, came out and confessed that he had been living a life of deception.  For the past two years, he had deceived everyone, his wife and parents included, and told them that he had terminal cancer.

When I first heard what had happened, I went into absolute shock and I began grieving.  I couldn’t understand how he could do such a thing – especially as a pastor and a follower of Christ.  And how could he lie like that to his wife and to his parents? However, I resisted the urge to blog about it and tell everyone until I heard the full story.

Here is the full story and statement of confession.

Here is also an exclusive interview (video) where Guglielmucci came out and made a public statement,

After hearing this story, there are a few responses that we can have.

1. Get angry and bitter towards Christianity and the Church.
2. Be confused and wonder how anyone could ever deceive others so well – especially one’s family.
3. Grieve over what sin can do in one’s life, and begin to pray more ferverently over church leaders and pastors.

If we choose the first response, and many already have, I believe that we will be basing our decision on false assumptions and preconceived notions.  Guglielmucci is a human being – what he did does not represent how a Christian should be or what Christianity is all about.  Jesus Christ came to set people free from sin and religion.  Faith is freedom.  Obviously, as a Christian leader, Guglielmucci should have been a representation of who Jesus Christ is – it’s just really sad to see what sin can do in one’s life (See third response below).

If we resonate with the second response and find ourselves confused as to how any human being could do something like this, here is my response: the human mind is a powerful thing.  During his 2 year fake terminal cancer diagnosis, the one thing that remained true was the fact that he would often vomit day after day and that his hair would even fall out in clumps.  If you aren’t actually sick, how could that happen? Especially if you’re not inducing your own vomit and pulling out your own hair?  My answer?  I believe we can convince ourselves so much that something is true, that our lie becomes reality.

For those who choose the third response and are grieving over what sin can do in one’s life, I believe you understand what it says in James 1:13-15,

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, gives birth to death.

The fact is that there is a spiritual battle going on around us right now, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).  As a result, does it not make sense that the evil one wants to target individuals with influence?  For example, pastors, church leaders, politicians, etc?

Let’s pray for our pastors and our church leaders and protect them with prayer, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
(James 5:16).

I believe that Mike Guglielmucci has confessed his sins, and I pray that God sets him free from the bondage of pornography.  I pray that he does not just stop at confession, but that he repents and begins to live a life of freedom – embracing the freedom that Jesus Christ offers everyone.