A Response to Michael Tait’s Fall and Reminders Vital for All Believers
By Sarah HollidayWashington Stand
If you’re anything like me, then the Newsboys were like a soundtrack for your growing faith. My first concert was a Newsboys show, their music a constant on family car rides. When Michael Tait took the lead, his modern pop flair dominated airwaves and even movies like “God’s Not Dead.” Their songs weren’t just catchy — they carried a message that resonated deeply with our spiritual journeys.
But our hearts now ache with the shattering truth: Tait, a man many admired, lived a double life. His own words haunt us: “I was not the same person on stage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday.” Revelations of years of drug and alcohol abuse, coupled with allegations of nonconsensual homosexual activity, have left wounds in their wake. The pain isn’t just because Tait held influence; it’s because he claimed to know and serve Christ. His actions have tarnished the evangelical witness and undoubtedly grieve God Himself.
His sins have been exposed, and his life will certainly never be the same. He has since publicly repented and claims to be pursuing genuine healing. I won’t speculate on the authenticity of his repentance. Instead, my aim is to help us process this tragedy and glean the sobering reminders Michael Tait’s fall offers us all.
1. You can’t hide your sin.
Scripture speaks with unmistakable clarity on this truth. Proverbs 28:13b declares, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper.” Numbers 32:23 delivers a stark warning: “You have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” Similarly, Luke 8:17 reinforces, “nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” No matter how cunningly you think you’ve veiled your sin, the Bible assures us it will surface. Most critically, even if you deceive those around you, your sin is laid bare before God’s all-seeing eyes.This isn’t meant as a harsh reprimand but as a sobering call to awareness. Sin, no matter how cleverly concealed, demands accountability — whether exposed today, years later, or on the day of judgment. No one escapes the weight of secret sins. More poignantly, the longer you cling to hidden sin, the deeper its devastation. It wounds not only you and your relationship with God but ripples outward, inflicting pain on those around you.
Michael Tait’s public apology struck a heavy chord, particularly these words: “I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life. I can only dream and pray for human forgiveness, because I certainly don’t deserve it. I have even accepted the thought that God may be the only One who ultimately and completely forgives me. Still, I want to say I’m sorry to everyone I have hurt. I am truly sorry.”
Again, I’m not here to affirm or question his plea for forgiveness. But consider the gravity of his admission: he acknowledges that only God may fully forgive him. Imagine the desolation of living with exposed sin, knowing you’ve wounded those you love, and facing the possibility that trust may never be restored. That’s a hollow, heartrending reality. And dear reader, it’s a vivid portrait of sin’s toll.
Sin’s only aim is destruction. It kills trust, scars relationships, and extinguishes love. It’s a chain that binds us to misery, a plague whose stench repels others. When we witness a fellow believer’s fall — a sadly common occurrence — it should jolt us to remember that our sin cannot stay hidden. If you think you’re concealing it now, its exposure is only a matter of time.
Yet, there is hope. 1 John 1:9 offers a promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This paves the way for our next reflection.
2. Repentence is key.
The promise of 1 John 1:9 anchors the next two reminders, but first, it underscores a universal truth: no matter who you are or what you’ve done, Scripture calls every believer to one critical act — repentance.The words “If we confess our sins” are a call to action. Confession isn’t optional; it’s a divine mandate. It’s a mandate woven into the fabric of faith. True repentance goes beyond mere words of regret; it’s an active turning away from sin, a deliberate reorientation of the heart toward God. This act of confessing and forsaking sin unlocks God’s faithful forgiveness and transformative cleansing, restoring us to walk in His truth and light.
Repentance is the linchpin. For Michael Tait, refusing to repent would have deepened the devastation of his circumstances. He may not receive human forgiveness, but he sought it. He may have grievously offended a holy and Almighty God, but he named his sins for what they were. Every believer is called to this same vulnerability — to bring their sins into the light through repentance, confessing them and seeking forgiveness. We can’t know the sincerity of Tait’s confession. Only God can. But in your own heart, you can — and must — examine the sincerity of yourown. True repentance is not a performance for others but a deeply personal turning from sin to God, marked by honest confession and a transformed life.
The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, literally means a change of mind and direction. We’re called to crucify the flesh (Galatians 5:24), carry our crosses (Luke 9:23), and live lives worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1). This begins with repentance as we acknowledge our sin’s impact on God, ourselves, and those around us. It’s a daily battle, fought with fervor, to root out sin until Christ’s return.
Living for Christ in a fallen world is arduous. Saying “no” to the flesh’s temptations — whether lust, pride, or the allure of fame and fortune — is a relentless struggle. Resisting the secular tide and the world’s enticements demands grit and resolve. Yet, dear reader, the effort to slay the flesh is profoundly worth it. A life turned from sin and toward Christ is the only path to true life, joy, and peace. And this path is open to us because our God is a forgiving God, ready to restore those who come to Him in genuine repentance.
3. God truly forgives.
If repentance is our first calling, the second is equally vital: to believe. The path to faith involves repenting, believing, and being baptized. But what exactly are we believing? We believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, risen from the dead to redeem us from all sins and trespasses. Central to this faith is the profound truth that God not only forgives but truly forgives — fully, completely, and forever.Let’s return to 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Do you trust these words? Do you hold fast to the promise that God forgives and purifies you from all unrighteousness? Or do you harbor quiet doubts about His redeeming love and boundless grace? Beloved, hear this: God truly forgives. More than that, He delights in forgiving. His mercy is not reluctant but lavish, ready to restore all who come to Him with repentant hearts.
Micah 7:18 asks: “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love.” Similarly, Isaiah 55:7 states, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Nehemiah 9:17 declares God is “ready to forgive,” and Luke 15:7 reveals heaven’s response: “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
The message is clear: repent, dear Christian, and then believe — truly believe — that Christ has forgiven you. Trust that He longs to see you forgiven, free, and flourishing, as His glorious gospel promises. God’s forgiveness is not a reluctant concession but a joyful outpouring of His love, inviting you into the abundant life found only in Him.
4. No one is immune to sin.
One final reminder, though not revolutionary, is often overlooked: no one is immune to sin. This truth extends far beyond Michael Tait. Some may shrug off his fall, assuming that a life of fame and wealth inevitably leads to such failures, as if it were only a matter of time before temptation overtook him. I don’t know your perspective on this, but it’s all too easy to witness a situation like Tait’s and slip into bitterness, fear, or pride. Let’s unpack this carefully.First, guard against bitterness. There is a sense in which righteous anger is wholly appropriate in cases like this, where sin has caused harm and tarnished the witness of Christ. Yet, bitterness is a poison that takes root when we dwell on another’s failure without grace. It blinds us to our own vulnerabilities and hardens our hearts. Instead of letting resentment fester, pray for those who’ve fallen, for those they’ve hurt, and for your own heart to remain soft and discerning. No one stands above sin’s reach — not Tait, not you, not me. Recognizing this humbles us and redirects our focus to God’s mercy and our own need for vigilance.
Second, resist fear. Seeing a public figure stumble can spark anxiety about our own faith or the faith of those we admire. But fear distorts truth. Scripture reminds us in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin’s universality isn’t a cause for despair but a call to rely on Christ’s strength, not our own. Stay rooted in prayer, Scripture, and community to guard against temptation.
Finally, resist any inkling of pride. It’s tempting to judge Tait’s actions from a distance, assuming we’re above such failures. Yet, 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Pride blinds us to our own weaknesses, making us prime targets for temptation. There’s no merit in boasting about avoiding a sin that never enticed you. True humility acknowledges that we all falter in unique ways and strives to restore, not condemn, those who stumble. It’s a call to grace, recognizing our shared frailty and the need for Christ’s mercy in every heart. So, stay humble, acknowledging your own susceptibility to sin, and lean on God’s grace to keep you steadfast.
I’ll conclude with this: Tait’s fall is a mirror, reflecting our own vulnerability to sin and the hope of redemption. We cannot hide our sins, but we can repent, trusting in God’s lavish forgiveness. No one is immune, yet Christ’s grace is sufficient for all. My prayer is that this tragedy spurs us to vigilance, humility, and faith. May all who call upon His name live lives that honor the gospel’s call to holiness and love.
This commentary has been reposted in its entirety by kind permission of The Washington Stand the outlet for news and commentary of the Family Research Council.
