And it’s happened again: Another high-profile Christian influencer has fallen from glory in the face of scandal.
In June of 2025, Michael Tait, frontman for longstanding Christian rock band Newsboys and former member of Grammy-winning DC Talk, was accused of numerous sexual allegations, bringing a lucrative thirty-seven-year stage career to a screeching halt.
Fans are in disbelief. Christian radio stations have pulled all music from both bands. Meanwhile, non-Christians are wagging their fingers and saying, “See? Christians are hypocrites.”
Have you ever been hurt or deceived by a Christian you were supposed to look up to? An author, actor, or musician. A minister or Sunday school teacher. Maybe even your own parent, who parades in the community as a beacon of faith, has done appalling things against you behind closed doors.
If so, here’s my caution to you: Do not abandon God because of man.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
Sin: An Ancient Problem
Shocking as the news is, it isn’t new. From the beginning, believers have done worse than let others down.
Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s birthright. Judah sought a bed with a prostitute, who ended up being his daughter-in-law. David committed adultery with a married woman, then had her husband murdered, all while serving as king.
It is dangerous to put your faith in man.
More recently, Christian pop group Raze disbanded in 2001 after one of their members was arrested for having an illicit relationship with an underage backup dancer. In 2010, Christian music artist Jennifer Knapp shocked fans when she openly confessed to being in a relationship with a woman. Less than a decade later, Joshua Harris, former pastor and author of bestselling book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, recanted everything he wrote about purity, reversed his stance on homosexuality, divorced his wife, and abandoned faith altogether, leaving his fans hanging in the dark.
It is dangerous to put your faith in man.
Idolatry: Still Happens Today
The common response to news of sin in high-profile Christians, however, is reactionary:
“All Christians are hypocrites. Therefore, I don’t believe in God.”
Never, ever lose sight of who it is you’re truly following.
If you think about it, this sort of logic is very telling of your core beliefs. Who is your God? Are you worshipping Michael Tait, or the God he sings about? Was Joshua Harris’s book more important to you than the Good Book?
If you’ve elevated another human to the point where you are willing to deconstruct your faith when he or she messes up, this is idolatry. Never, ever lose sight of who it is you’re truly following: Jesus, the one true God, and the only perfect man to ever walk the earth.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.”
Psalm 118:8
Conversely, when the apostle Paul wrote about humans in Romans, he didn’t have a lot of good to say:
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away.”
Romans 3:10-12
Seem kind of harsh? It’s true. We are all sinners. We all fall short.
So, be careful of judging God’s character by the actions of imperfect humans.
The Real Meaning of “High-Value Target”
In the case of Michael Tait, you might be thinking: “Why that sin? Why did he have to take it so far?”
I know that’s crossed my mind several times. But here’s the thing. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that some of the most idolized, high-profile Christians commit some of the most appalling sins, for two reasons.
One, Satan specifically targets strong and influential believers. He knows if he takes down one of those, their followers will topple like a line of dominoes. Why go after the hermit living alone in the mountains when the guy on stage comes with thousands of trusting fans?
Satan is very familiar with the term “high-value target.”
And two, celebrities and high-profile influencers commit some of the most heinous crimes often because they have the means to do so. For many of us, sin doesn’t go much further than a fantasy because we literally do not have the resources (money, time, access to people, etc.) to carry it out.
You and I might be innocent, but only for lack of opportunity.
You and I might be innocent, but only for lack of opportunity.
Let that be a cautionary tale for you to never, ever let down your guard. If you’ve ever noticed a spike in temptation when you feel closest to God, that’s Satan trying to bring you down. You can rejoice that he considers you a threat, but don’t let down your guard, especially as your influence grows.
What About the Message?
DC Talk (with Michael Tait) released five albums and won four Grammys, with Jesus Freak considered one of the most influential albums in the history of contemporary Christian music. Newsboys released eight albums with Tait as their frontman and appeared on the 2014 film God’s Not Dead. Now, with the allegations, many Christian radio stations have flipped the off-switch for decades upon decades of faith-breathing music.
Satan is doing a victory dance right now.
I do not condone what Michael Tait did, and I’m disappointed he didn’t step away from the spotlight sooner. The damage he has done by continuing in his position of influence is extensive and irreparable. But his double life does not negate the ministry his music carried out for years. His songs about Jesus’ love and messages of forgiveness, tolerance, racism—even hypocrisy—were biblical, far-reaching, and effective. The fact that he wasn’t following them in his personal life is something he will have to answer to God for. But the rest of us can still benefit from the truths he proclaimed.
If you want to keep listening to Newsboys and DC Talk, by all means, go ahead. If you’re uncomfortable with it, that’s fine, too. This is a personal matter. But know that God can and does use appalling sinners to spread his word.
Why You Should Continue to Support Christian Media
At this point, many people will give up on Christian music, Christian fiction—basically anything labeled Christian. Then they turn to the secular industry for entertainment and enlightenment. Which makes as much sense as giving up brushing and flossing because your dentist got arrested for drunk driving.
As the old saying goes, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. True Christian media still carries truth, even if it’s created by imperfect imposters. Continue to support creators of wholesome, biblical content.
Just don’t worship them.
When You Are Let Down By A Christian, Do Not Abandon God Because of Man
Are you considering leaving the faith because of the hypocrisy of Christians? Do not abandon God because of man. If you’re deconstructing faith because of the apparent two-faced nature of people, you’re giving Satan exactly what he wants.
Worship the king, not the messenger.
How about embracing the truth instead of running from it? The truth is, we are all sinners, which is precisely why Jesus came into the world. He’s taken away every sin, if only we would believe in him and embrace his love. Worship the king, not the messenger.
Condemn sin, but cling to the truth.
And spread God’s love. Read your Bible, pray, and embody the fruit of the Spirit. Be an example other believers can follow.
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”
Philippians 3:17
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Maybe you can be the one who changes someone else’s negative view of Christians.
Finally, pray for the Michael Taits, Joshua Harrises, and Jennifer Knapps of the world because they are under major assault from Satan right now. Pray that they may see the error of their ways and come to full repentance.
As for me, I know I’m praying Michael Tait will take to heart the very words he blessed fans with during his DC Talk days:
“There is hope for the hopeless
Peace and forgiveness
There is life in the red letters.”
–”Red Letters” by DC Talk
Thinking of Leaving the Faith? More Resources for Teens
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
If life has you deconstructing faith for one reason or another, check out these other articles for new perspective: