Chris Conlee from Highpoint Church spoke to congregants following Andy Savage's apology for his involvement in inappropriate behaviour with Jules Woodson, after she detailed the incident in a blog post.
Savage didn't reveal details of the "sexual incident" to congregants, who gave him a standing ovation that was widely reported and criticised.
In the first service since Savage announced he was taking a leave of absence from the church, Conlee addressed the incident.
He said: "It's ok for me to point out some things that are wrong.
"What happened 20 years ago was wrong. What is happening with bloggers and social media critics being so hateful is also wrong."
He suggested bible reading is sometime 'selective' and quoted Matthew 7:2, which highlights the impact of judging others.
Conlee asked: "If you were watching a movie right now of this story, and in this particular movie we happen to be the main characters, what would you want us to do?
"Do you want us to compromise and cave in to the critics? Do you want us to quit?
"See, that's what the enemy wants."
Conlee then cited the Bible verse 1 Peter 5:8 to compare Savage's critics to Satan.
"'Be sober-minded. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around - watch this - like a roaring lion,'" Conlee said.
"He is not a roaring lion. He is like a roaring lion. There is only one roaring lion, and that is the lion of the tribe of Judah."
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