Sometimes we rely on pastors, speakers, and others to tell us what the Bible says rather than digging into it for ourselves. This is a dangerous practice because listening will never replace actively seeking. The Holy Spirit uses our time in the Word to speak directly to us, and when we forego this time in favor of something else, we miss a beautiful opportunity.
Several years ago, a Christian public figure I’d followed for years was found guilty of criminal activity. The scandal shocked people all over the world and started endless conversations online. One writer talked about the dangers of giving our Christian leaders too much power, and her voice stuck with me. She said that when people are placed in a position where they are above reproach and not held accountable, we feed their propensity toward sin.
It doesn’t take much observation to see the truth of her words. Christian influencers in America draw thousands of people to their events, and followers often pay top-dollar to get in the front door. While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with attending these events, how do we know when we’ve crossed the line? Is there a way to discern when we’ve given another human being too much power? They are, after all, flawed humans and prone to their sinful nature, just like we are.
I believe there are several signals to alert us when we give someone too much power. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it covers some of the things I often see. I’ve also fallen into some of these habits and have needed to repent of them.
Here are five signs that our culture has forgotten people are not God:
1. We Quote Influencers More Than We Quote God’s Word
With so many Christian books and resources out there, it can be easy to forget about God’s Word altogether. We can get on social media and find an endless source of quotes and inspiration, and we may rely on this to fill our cups rather than the Bible. But if we’re not spending time in the Word, we are not going to the true source of life and sustenance.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as “Living Water” that never runs dry.
“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 NIV
One of the ways we drink from this water is by reading God’s Word. It quenches the thirsty places in us that other people’s words never will.
2. We Are Shocked When Christian Public Figures Sin or Are Caught in a Scandal
The more power a person has, the more public his or her downfall is to everyone. And over the past decade, the United States and Europe have seen many public figures in the Christian spotlight held accountable for scandals, sexual misconduct, and other behavior that goes directly against the Bible. When this happens, the usual response is shock and disdain. And while we should hold our leaders accountable, we must also remember that they are susceptible to sin just like anyone else. Perhaps more so because of the extreme amount of pressure and scrutiny they face daily.
Christian leaders should exemplify Christ, but they should never replace Christ. We deceive ourselves when we place them on a pedestal and elevate them to a place above the rest of humanity.
Peter gives a warning about pride in 1 Peter, saying, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV).
In other words, a true leader exemplifies humility and servant nature, not a need for constant praise.
3. We Flock to Influencer Events but Not Our Local Church
While there’s nothing wrong with attending an influencer event, God made it clear that his bride is the Church. He cares deeply about the local church and its people and desires to see us thrive in community.
Hebrews talks about the importance of gathering together with other believers, saying, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT).
A church can take on many shapes and sizes, and not one size fits all. It may be a home church or a large, multi-site one. The important aspect is not the size or where it’s located but whether or not it preaches the Bible.
Attending a local church will keep us grounded and rooted in God’s Word. It also helps us to thrive and fulfill our God-given purposes, serving others and encouraging them as we are also encouraged.
4. We Seek Others’ Opinions About Our Problems More Than We Pray About Them
With friends, church members, and online influencers, opinions are readily available, and it’s convenient to go to them first. God’s voice is sometimes hard to discern, especially when we’re distracted by everything else in our lives. So instead of praying about a problem or hardship we’re facing, we may seek a solution elsewhere. We give up conversation with the wisest Being ever in favor of another flawed human’s perception.
Yes, it is healthy and biblical to seek godly counsel from other believers, but it was never intended to replace prayer. God longs for us to come to him with each detail of our lives and seek his guidance. James tells us he gives wisdom generously to those who ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
While God’s voice requires more intention to hear and discern, it is always worth it. He will not lead us down a path of destruction but will guide us in paths of righteousness.
5. Our Knowledge of the Bible Is Limited, and We Don’t Test Others’ Words
Sometimes we rely on pastors, speakers, and others to tell us what the Bible says rather than digging into it for ourselves. This is a dangerous practice because listening will never replace actively seeking. The Holy Spirit uses our time in the Word to speak directly to us, and when we forego this time in favor of something else, we miss a beautiful opportunity.
While it’s important for us to gather with other believers, it’s also crucial for us to spend time alone with God and in his Word. As we do, he will place faith deposits within us that will fuel us later when we face trials or moments of opposition.
Paul talks about the importance of the Word of God in Ephesians, saying, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand…Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 4:13,17 NIV).
Friends, God uses the people in our lives in numerous ways. He can use another believer to affirm a word we’ve received from him to encourage us, exhort us, and fulfill his purposes. But people cannot replace him. He alone is worthy of our praise and our worship, and when we forget that, we give more power to someone than they were created to handle.
Let’s not go there. Let’s keep the King of Kings in his rightful place and reserve our adoration for him alone.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/OSTILL
Abby McDonald is a writing coach and the author of Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God. Her mission is to empower women to seek God in the middle of life’s messes and to share their faith with courage. Abby writes regularly for Proverb 31 Ministries’ daily devotions team, and her work has been featured in numerous publications. You can connect with Abby on her website where you can grab a free worship playlist to help you shift your focus toward God. You can also connect with Abby on Instagram.
