It has not been an unusual occurrence for someone in my congregation to wonder if that sermon illustration or that pointed warning was directed as a frontal assault on them. Recently, I had a lovely conversation with a dear brother who couldn’t go to sleep until he cleared the air with me and ensured that I wasn’t using the pulpit to get at him. Such conversations, though delicate, are a grace. It speaks to the sensitivity of conscience and the working of the Spirit that a man would take care to ensure his heart is right, both with his pastor and with God. I wonder what would have happened had he kept this strain hidden in his heart. So, I reassured him that I was not out to get him but that I was out to get them all.

The Puritan, Richard Baxter once said, “A faithful friend dares to tell you your faults, and to reprove you; and it is a fault in a friend not to be plain.” A Pastor is most of all a faithful friend. He desires to be kind by not withholding what is plain. It is not only the responsibility of the congregation to approach the pulpit with open hearts, but it is also incumbent upon the shepherd to faithfully minister to his people, addressing their unique tendencies, weaknesses, and sins with loving precision. The pulpit is not a place for vague generalities, but for the clear and piercing proclamation of God’s Word, which must speak to the hearts of the people as they are.

There is no room for diplomacy in the pulpit; only wisdom should have a voice there. John Calvin would often preach with such specificity that he could see the Spirit’s conviction stirring visibly in his congregation. It is said that he knew his flock so well that he would preach until he saw clear signs of spiritual reaction. Calvin didn’t flinch from applying the truth of Scripture to the particular sins and struggles of those under his care. His love for his people was not a passive affection, but a vigorous commitment to see their lives conformed to Christ.

It is a sure mark of a good shepherd to be able to apply the Word to the people in such a way that each one, when they hear it, may perceive it to be aimed at themselves.

Can a pastor then not misuse his pulpit?

The pastorate is a weighty responsibility, and one that requires both courage and discernment. A pastor must not use the pulpit for personal vendettas or to exact petty judgments, but neither can he shy away from addressing specific issues simply because of the discomfort it may cause. Some men, instead of faithfully delivering God’s Word, may use the pulpit to settle scores, target specific individuals, or subtly manipulate the congregation to align with their personal ambitions. Such misuse warps the function of preaching, which is meant to be a faithful proclamation of the Gospel and a means of building up the body of Christ.

A self-centered pastor will reveal his inward motivations not just in preaching but in many aspects of church life. The misuse of authority and the lack of humility become apparent in other areas, damaging relationships and distorting the health of the church. 

A faithful pastor, however, is marked by a deep commitment to Christ, a willingness to confront sin when necessary, and the humility to lead with love, wisdom, and discernment.

Discerning between the two

At times, a faithful pastor who is genuinely preaching the truth of Scripture may outwardly appear as though he is targeting specific individuals in his congregation. When a pastor delivers sermons based on the whole counsel of God’s Word, he cannot avoid addressing sins and struggles that are common to many people, including those within the congregation. But even when a pastor preaches with a pure heart, those receiving the message might perceive it differently.

Take, for example, a situation where a pastor preaches from 1 Timothy 5:13, where Paul warns against the idleness and gossip of certain widows. Now, imagine there is only one widow in the church. Despite the pastor’s aim to faithfully expound the text, this widow might feel singled out, believing that the sermon was crafted specifically to confront her. In reality, the pastor is simply preaching a biblical truth applicable to all Christians and addressing a pattern of behavior, not a person. However, the sensitive nature of certain topics can cause individuals to feel directly targeted.

Yet, it is important to recognize that it is not necessarily wrong for the pastor to have this widow in mind while preparing the sermon. Given her situation, the warning about idleness and gossip may most apply to her, and as a faithful shepherd, it is his duty to bring the Word of God to bear on the specific spiritual needs of his flock. His intention is not to shame her, but to gently guide her toward godly behavior, just as the Scriptures direct. A pastor must preach with the whole congregation in mind, but it is inevitable and even proper that he considers the specific struggles and circumstances of individual members when applying Scripture. The key difference is in his heart posture: he is not seeking to condemn, but to care for her soul by applying the truth where it is most needed.

There is no room for diplomacy in the pulpit; only wisdom should have a voice there.

This is a delicate balance—preaching the truth broadly while also ensuring that those who need to hear it most can receive it in love. Faithful pastoral preaching should be both biblical and personal, without crossing into the realm of personal vendetta or manipulation. Instead, it offers a loving and necessary confrontation of sin in a way that seeks the edification and restoration of those under his care.

No Perfect Pastor

No pastor is perfect, and even the most faithful shepherds are capable of folly or misjudgment in their preaching. Pastors, like all believers, are human and can sometimes allow their personal experiences or emotions to unintentionally influence their words. There may be times when a pastor’s sermon, while meant to be biblical, unintentionally feels like a direct personal critique, or when it may genuinely be too pointed toward one individual without the proper balance of grace.

In such cases, what the dear brother I mentioned at the beginning did—coming up to speak directly with the pastor and clearing the air—is an excellent way to handle the situation. Approaching the pastor with humility and a desire for understanding, rather than harbouring suspicion or resentment, opens the door for healthy, biblical engagement. It allows the pastor to clarify his intentions, reflect on any potential missteps, and build trust within the congregation. This type of candid, respectful dialogue is essential in maintaining both unity and accountability within the church.

The Reasonable Attitude

Here again, I want to draw a balance. When a sermon pricks the heart of a believer, the reasonable and healthy response should be one of humility and introspection, rather than defensiveness or offense. As Christians, we must remember that God’s Word is a two-edged sword, meant to convict us of sin and guide us toward holiness. Even if a sermon does not explicitly address a sin we are currently struggling with, the fact that it stirs something within us should be seen as a gracious prompt from the Spirit, encouraging us to examine our hearts and be vigilant in our walk with Christ. Rather than assuming we are being targeted, it is wise to consider whether God might be highlighting an area where we need growth or greater caution.

When a sermon touches on themes like pride or nominalism, it is natural for certain individuals in the congregation to feel as though they are being singled out. For example, when a pastor preaches about the dangers of overconfidence or pride in our faith, those who are passionately committed to the church—like Peter was in his bold declarations—might feel as though the message is directed at them. Peter, in his zeal, was quick to affirm his loyalty to Christ, even to the point of saying, “Even if all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29). Yet, Jesus lovingly warned Peter that his pride would lead him into a fall. A sermon on pride in one’s spiritual life might cause those with a Peter-like passion to feel defensive or targeted, even when the intent is to address a universal struggle we all face in different ways. The truth is that such a sermon is a healthy warning for everyone, urging us to remain humble and dependent on Christ, no matter how strong our faith may seem.

Similarly, a sermon that addresses nominalism—the danger of following Jesus in name only, without true heart commitment—can easily make those who might not be as outwardly engaged in church life feel as though they are under scrutiny. Judas Iscariot followed Jesus, sat under His teaching, and participated in ministry activities, but his heart was never truly devoted to the Lord. When a pastor speaks about the dangers of superficial Christianity, it can feel personal to those who may struggle with apathy or spiritual complacency. They may think, “Is the pastor talking about me?” But such a sermon is not a personal attack; it is a reminder for all of us to examine our hearts and ensure that our devotion to Christ is sincere.

In both cases—whether addressing Peter’s pride or Judas’ nominalism—sermons that touch on these topics may cause listeners who identify with these traits to feel as though they are being targeted. But in reality, faithful preaching addresses common tendencies that affect every believer in one way or another, and some in very specific ways. The sermon is not a callout but a call to vigilance, urging us to be careful in areas where we might stumble. A good sermon is not out to get one person, but is out to get them all. Even if a particular sermon resonates more with someone because of their personal circumstances, it should be received as an invitation to deeper self-reflection, growth, and grace.

There is no room for diplomacy in the pulpit; only wisdom should have a voice there.