Preachers often provide private counseling to individuals. Recognizing that more than one person may face the same struggle, the private revelation, poorly disguised, becomes a sermon illustration. Application has led away from the gospel, not to it. Second, some assume that just talking about a problem will solve it. Third, some substitute psychology for the gospel.
Application drives biblical content out of the sermon.
Preaching that does not bring man to the cross for pardon and to Christ for power is incomplete. Fourth, overemphasis on the issues of the time causes neglect of the timeless. Preoccupation with the questions that people are asking causes neglect of the questions people ought to be asking. Servants of God cannot. Fifth, overemphasis on application causes neglect of doctrinal preaching.