Pastors Who Avoid Taboo Topics Lack Courage

The answer to why pastors hide and shy away from preaching taboo topics is simple—they lack the love, courage, and faith they demand of others. There’s no other explanation, and deep down, they know it.

Moreover, it is a blatant example of God's condemnation against those who feed themselves and not the flock (Ezek. 34:1-8).

With over two decades in ministry, I’ve watched time and again as subjects begging for attention from church leaders get swept under the rug. I get it—leading a congregation and tackling tough issues ain’t easy (Num. 11:14, 2 Cor. 11:28).

But I don’t dodge them, even when it costs me (Ezek. 2:7, Acts 5:29).

Here’s a taste of what they avoid:

1. Divorce among pastors and its fallout.

2. Why Christians should embrace mental health medications.

3. How Democrat and Republican politics have fractured the church.

4. Why pastors are not more anointed and loved by God than others.

5. Why Catholics aren’t Christians.

6. Calling out fraudulent big-shot ministries like Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and others.

7. Why groups like Black Lives Matter or the Anti-Defamation League don’t align with Christian truth.

Before I dive in, let’s save us both some time with a couple clarifications. First, I’m not here to pep-talk pastors into doing what they claim God sent them for. My calling as a watchman is to rebuke them for slacking (Isa. 58:1, Matt. 23:7, 2 Tim. 4:2).

Second, it’s pointless to pretend they don’t know what’s expected (1 Cor. 9:16, Titus 2:7-8). Like God told Joshua, “Why you praying to me? Get up—you know what to do” (Josh. 7:10).

Those mic-holding, anointing-claiming pastors will recognize the truth in my words, even if they despise me airing it out loud.

Years back, when I stepped into church leadership and had to confront these same types head-on, they didn’t just hate me correcting them—God’s “chosen”—they lost it when it went public (Gal. 2:11, Acts 13:9-10).

That was the real sin in their eyes (2 Tim. 3:8).

A recent Barna study backed up what I’ve long seen. It found 78% of pastors agree the toughest, most taboo topics need addressing, yet 69% never touch them. Shocking to Barna, maybe, but not to me. How can those we trust most drop the ball like that?

To justify their hatred of both God and His people, they deceive themselves with statement like, "they aren't ready for that much truth yet. There is a difference between those who can handle meat and milk" (Heb. 5:12-14, 1 Cor. 3:2).

This is what my pastor told me when I challenged him on his obvious disobedience and he is not an isolated case.

Here’s three things you need to know about pastors—whether they’re truly called, sent, and anointed, or just faking it.

First, after decades around hundreds of church leaders, they don’t grasp the difference between hurting you by hiding the Word and hurting you by delivering it, especially on the hard stuff.

Second, they hold back Holy Ghost truth because they’re stuck waiting for the “right moment” to move you from milk to meat (Isa. 55:8-9, 2 Pet. 3:8). Yet, the moment never seems to arrive until they are angry, frustrated or have nothing else to lose.

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They’ll twist scripture to excuse their lack of grit because, apparently, they know better what is best for God's people than He does (Isa. 29:16, Rom. 9:20).

Finally, they don’t believe their own sermons enough to risk their cozy lives (Luke 6:46, Rom. 2:21, Jam. 1:21).

Pastors fear one thing more than God: an empty church. Keeping that gig often means coveting it enough to lie, cover up, and profess love for God’s people while their actions scream otherwise (Matt. 6:24, Luke 14:33, 1 John 2:15).

Jesus asked, “Why call me ‘Lord’ and not do what I say” (Luke 6:46)? We’ve got a blank check to preach the full gospel—not just the fluffy bits (Mark 16:15). Furthermore, the Lord God told a prophet to relay His words so how do these cowards withhold what God says is good (Prov. 3:27, Jer. 23:28)?

Because they have been so worshipped by people they believe themselves, like apostate Catholic priests, to be 'altos christos' (another christ).

It is our anointing to say it, irrespective of personal doubt and fear and if the people die in sin, after we spoke it, we are innocent of their blood (Ezek. 3:18-19). Yet, if we do not, and that person dies in their in, the preacher will answer for their lack.

This means that depite the lying, heretical, demonic doctrine of once saved alway saved and eternal security put forth by Baptists, those who withhold what is good will end up in Hell with those whom they hid the truth from (2 Thess. 1:8-9, Rev. 21:8).

The thing is, we refuse to say what we should and blab what we shouldn’t. Paul nailed it: “What I should do, I don’t; what I shouldn’t, I do" (Rom. 7:14-25).

Scripture forbids leaders from “lording” over His people and by hoarding truth and not faithfully dispensing it as led by the Holy Spirit, shepherds have spiritually kidnapped the flock (Matt. 20:25-28, 1 Pet. 5:2-3).

So here we are, at the end of this gut-punch of a revelation, and the truth is as plain as it could be.

Church leaders refuse to preach taboo topics because they love their own comfort more than God’s people just as did the Rich Young Ruler who desired to follow Jesus, but couldn't walk-away from personal desire (Mark 10:17-27).

More plainly, they lack the spine, the fire, and sacrificial spirit they so loudly demand from the pews (Rom. 2:1-3).

It’s a flashing neon sign screaming that something’s rotten in the pulpits, and the stench is choking God’s sheep.

Let’s not kid ourselves. The Barna study I mentioned—78% of pastors admitting these tough topics need airtime, yet 69% keeping their mouths shut—ain’t just a statistic. It’s a confession of cowardice.

Almost eight (8) in ten (10) shepherds know the flock’s bleeding out from wounds they won’t even name, let alone bandage yet don't have the love to offer first aid.

And why?

They’d rather watch you stumble in darkness than risk shining a light that might cost them a paycheck. That’s not love and is rather a betrayal dressed up in a clerical collar.

When we read the so-called love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13, we find out that all of the things love is boils down to one thing, "love does not seek its own way" (1 Cor. 13:1-8).

I’ve been in this fight for over two decades, and I’ve seen it up close—pastors who’d rather choke on their own tongues than preach the meat of the Word. They’ll spoon-feed you milk ‘til you’re spiritually malnourished, quoting Hebrews 5:12 like it’s a hall pass instead of a rebuke.

But here’s the kicker: they know better (at least the truly called, anointed and sent do).

God didn’t stutter when He told Ezekiel to speak every word, no edits, no filter—or else that prophet’s hands would drip with the blood of the lost (Ibd). Jesus didn’t mince words either, asking why we call Him “Lord” but dodge His orders like they’re optional (Ibd).

Yet these pastors act like the Holy Ghost is some timid whisper they can ignore when the offering plate’s on the line.

They’re not just withholding sermons; they’re withholding freedom, healing, and trust when the Lord sent them to preach freedom (John 8:36).

Gives new insight into the "wide is the road that leads to destruction and narrow is the path that lead to life" doesn't it (Matt. 7:13-14)? Just a note for discipleship purposes, Matthew 7 (reference text) begins with Jesus teaching proper and improper judging people and situations.

Too many have the gall to stand there, mic in hand, claiming anointing, while chaining the flock to their own fears and then preaching "God doesn't give us the spirit of fear church" (2 Tim. 1:7)!

I’m not here to beg pastors to grow a backbone—that’s between them and God. My job is to call it like I see it, and I see a church choking on cowardice while the world burns.

We’ve got a blank check to preach the whole gospel, not just the cuddly bits, and I’ll cash it every time, even when it stings. Because God’s ways aren’t mine, and His thoughts aren’t either.

Pastors, you’ve been warned: speak, or answer for the silence. The flock deserves the meat, not the muzzle. And if you won’t feed ‘em, I will—whether you like it or not.