Does Fame Make Accountability Optional?
Many scandals in the past few years regarding big-name pastors, musicians, and so forth have been discouraging news to the body of Christ. News like this leaves one wondering how people with such large platforms could get away with treacherous sin in the dark. Moreover, how did those in their circle not notice? Or were they complicit? Overall, it paints a picture that there is a tremendous need for repentance in the church as well as accountability.
For many who are in the spotlight, it is easy to conclude that there is no need for accountability whatsoever. It is almost like one becomes untouchable or thinks that there is no need for anyone to keep them in check. On the contrary, they are deluded by their thinking, as sin hardens the heart. That in mind, let us consider what happens when one loses one's sense of accountability.
When Influence Replaces Intimacy
At the start of our Christian walk, we are filled with tremendous zeal for the Lord. We spend much time with Him in prayer, we hunger for His Word, and we desire to serve Him in ministry. There are many opportunities to serve within the body of Christ, and that's good because God has given us gifts in which we are to serve and edify one another. We also live in an age where there is a plethora of influencers online, such as podcasts, vlogs, and so on. Many Christians have likewise taken this opportunity to cultivate a platform and be able to share words of encouragement and biblical truth with their listeners.
While all these things are good, the issue arises when we let our influence and service overtake intimacy with God. We end up desiring to focus more on pleasing people than fearing God, even to the point of watering down the message of faith or compromising beliefs in the public eye.
For instance, a recent controversy that stirred among the Christian community is that reality television stars Chip and Joana Gaines, who face the popular HGTV show Fixer Upper, featured a gay couple on their new reality series, "Back To The Frontier" on HBO Max. Given that the Gaines are professing Christians, many believers were disappointed in the move and saw it as a compromise of beliefs. Moreover, Chip Gaines pushed back against the criticism as hate and vitriol, which he sees among the "modern American Christian."
Another troubling case in recent times has to do with former Newsboys and DC Talk singer Michael Tait, who was accused of drug and alcohol abuse as well as grooming young men in the past 20 years. He was also alleged to have watched a woman get drugged and raped by a lighting technician who was on tour with the Newsboys in 2014.
In both cases, we see how fame can also be tied to the compromise of beliefs. If anything, it makes one arrogant or makes one seem like they're untouchable and that they can do whatever they want. Additionally, they do not have others to keep them accountable, or whoever they are accountable to does not challenge them at all. It is one thing to have someone to encourage you and comfort you, but it is also imperative to be told the hard truth.
Pride Comes Before the Fall
The phrase "pride comes before the fall" is derived from Proverbs 16:18, which states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall". We see this countless times throughout the Bible, including the life of King Saul, the first king of Israel, who subsequently lost his kingdom after rebelling against the Lord through his disobedience. We also see this in his successor, King David, who, despite being described as a man after God's own heart, fell after permitting a moment of isolation, which led him to commit adultery with Bathsheba and have her husband, Uriah, killed to cover up his sin. However, the Lord would send His prophet Nathan to confront the shepherd boy turned king concerning his sin. His son, King Solomon, also fell after having his heart swayed away by women, which also resulted in idol worship.
We also see many churches today that have seen the watering down of biblical truth, a lack of repentance, and the uprising of pastors as celebrities. Yet how many well-known names have fallen into severe scandals, where many have lived double lives? It doesn't matter if they are well-versed in scripture. They are still accountable for their actions, yet their pride blinds them from seeing the truth.
These examples, and then some, underscore that we have pride in our hearts, which 16th-century theologian John Calvin described as a "perpetual factory of idols." Pride is the worst kind of idolatry because it is the exaltation of self over God. Yet pride can only go so far, for one will eventually be humbled.
God Is Purging His Church
Despite the chaos, God is in control. The Bible says judgment must begin in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17), thus there will be accountability. If no one wants to be accountable now, then they ultimately will stand before the Lord in judgment. It's an inescapable reality. It is an avoidable truth.
Although it is sad news at the same time, we must be encouraged that the Lord is purging His church, for He desires His bride to be holy. There is no place for goats among the sheep, especially wolves in sheep's clothing. Although many leaders have fallen, their shortcomings also provide them an opportunity to repent lest they continue with their sins and perish. Therefore, let us examine our hearts, lay aside our pride, and humble ourselves before the Lord who will not despise "a broken and contrite heart" (Psalms 51:17).
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Pekic
Originally published July 29, 2025.
