Favoritism is a “little big thing,” an evidence of our faith.
James 2:1-9 explains that only “lawbreakers” (v. 9) with “evil thoughts” (v. 4) show favor to wealthy people. And verse 5 is one you'll never hear from a prosperity teacher: “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith…?”
But the sin of favoritism goes beyond admiring the wealthy. It includes favoring people based on their appearance, position, or worldly accomplishments: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16-17).
In the modern church, popular “Christian” musicians, teachers, pastors, authors, and mini-series creators are favored, even when they deny biblical principles, promote cults, or create a fake Jesus who is popular with modern culture.
We shouldn't be shocked that some of these “Christian” celebrities live secret sinful lives (e.g., Michael Tait) or begin promoting false doctrines (e.g., Amy Grant, Dallas Jenkins).
God tells us to judge ourselves “with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each” of us (Romans 12:3).
And that’s how we should judge others.* We should not be impressed by popularity, important positions, wealth, or appearance. We should trust and respect those who live faithfully in their daily lives.
And that’s how we should judge others.* We should not be impressed by popularity, important positions, wealth, or appearance. We should trust and respect those who live faithfully in their daily lives.
Ungodly favoritism may seem like an insignificant sin. But it's one of the “little big things” which reveals our true faith.
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See Don't Be Jealous of Other People's Gifts for more insights.
* I anticipate feedback claiming we aren't supposed to judge others, so let me refer anyone with this belief to: How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture.
BLN
Gail, has Michael Tate confessed and repented of his sins? I was under the impression that he did. I don't have any verification of this. With confession and repentance we as Christians need to forgive and restore to faith a brother.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if he should be in a place of the public eye or not. Without confession and repentance yes he should be removed from the church, but with it aren't we supposed to restore a fellow believer? I know other Christian artists have walked away or gone woke in their faith, yes they should be put out till they repent. Do you know where Michael Tate stands in repentance? I still wear my Do you believe tee shirt because I was under the impression of there being true repentance. I don't want to be like the pharisees and women caught in adultery. Let him Without sin throw the first stone. But I also don't want to condone sin. Do you have any insight on his repentance?
Thank you,
Glen
Hi Glen,
DeleteYes, Tate offered public repentance after he was exposed. However, I think there are huge questions involved.
Allegations of Michael Tate’s abuse go back to 2001. That’s over two decades, without repentance or any attempts to change until Jan. 2025 when he left Newsboys without explanation. His statement of repentance came in June of 2025 after he was exposed.
Tate has left a trail of men and underage boys victimized and he lived a life of addiction, lies, and cover-ups for more than a third of his 60 years of life. And his conscience did not make him seek help or confess until 2025.
Many compare Tate to King David, but there are some serious differences between the sins of David and the sins of Michael Tate. David lived in his sins of a single adultery and a single murder for approximately 9 months. These sins did not characterize his life.
1 John 3:6 says, “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.”
1 John 2:4 says, “If anyone says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 1:6 says, “If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”
These Scriptures don’t give us a “time limit” but I think it’s safe to say that Tate could not have been saved if he continued to lie, abuse drugs, alcohol, men, and boys for 20+ years.
I read Tate’s confession, and he explains that perhaps God is the only one who can fully forgive him, but God only forgives those who have genuinely followed him. Unless Tate has come to the Lord since his confession, I see no proof that he is saved. There is something called worldly sorrow and it does not save or forgive us: 2 Corinthians 7:10: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
I’m not surprised that you refer to the woman caught in adultery, Glen. It has been misused by Bible teachers for so many years, and most people see it as you do – a condemnation of judging anyone. That’s one reason I have a section explaining it in my book that comes out later this year (Lies in Disguise, Half-Truths Many Christians Believe).
Please read the passage carefully without a teacher’s interpretation and you’ll see that the men were not really concerned about the woman, they were trying to trap Jesus. Their motives in judging her were evil (Matthew 7:1-5). If we have evil motives in judging someone, we have no right to judge them. But judgement of sin and sinners is commanded throughout Scripture, especially of those who claim to be Christians.
Please check our https://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-who-and-what-to-judge-according-to.html
I hope this answers your questions, Glen.
God bless,
Gail
Sorry, that link doesn't work. Here it is:
DeleteHow, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture