Don’t Worship Men of GOD Together With GOD
Although ‘man worship’ has been a major idolatry in The Church since Peter and Paul, it is now a plague commonplace in The Church today.
Man worship is blatant, yet subtle. It is one of the most prevalent and destructive idolatries in The Church and the world.
One can fall into man worship without even realising it.
Cornelius had just had a most life-changing angelic visitation from GOD for his faithful worship of GOD. But within the next few days, he fell down into man worship, literally.
“As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.” Acts 10:25.
This is all too common in subtle ways in The Church today: people worship the man of GOD, the prophet — knowingly and unknowingly.
Like Cornelius, many are well-meaning but very mistaken.
Like Cornelius, many start well, pleasing GOD; but then start treating the man of GOD with worship meant for GOD alone.
This was the case with Cornelius.
‘There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared GOD with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to GOD always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of GOD coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before GOD. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.’ Acts 10:1-8,25.
Although not yet born-again, Cornelius, because he feared GOD with all his household, did charitable giving generously, and prayed to GOD always, was given an angelic visitation from GOD. He was told by the angel to send for Peter who will tell him what he must do to be born-again.
But this good man, approved by GOD, suddenly slid onto a slippery slope like many believers today: man worship.
“As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.” (v.25).
Ignorantly, Cornelius worshiped the man of GOD in addition to GOD!
Believe the prophets; but don’t believe IN the prophets
These days people believe in prophets, rather than in GOD. This is a destructive idolatry.
“Thus says THE LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from THE LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.” Jeremiah 17:5-6.
The Word categorically says:
“Believe in THE LORD your GOD, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20.
Believe the prophet (if speaking by THE SPIRIT OF GOD); but don’t believe IN the prophet. Don’t put your faith in the prophet. Your faith must be in GOD alone.
We must believe IN The Living GOD alone, and not any man, or any other created thing.
Men and women of GOD must not be given worship, and must not receive worship.
No man or woman, no matter how anointed should receive worship, but, as Peter did, rather sharply REBUKE the demonic trap if being given.
Peter immediately rebuked and discouraged the misguided act by Cornelius.
But today, some men of GOD actually receive such acts.
Man worship can be flagrant like what Cornelius did, but it is mostly often subtle.
Those accolades that focus on and marvel at the man of GOD rather than GOD are certainly a poisoned chalice offered from hell. And must be rejected.
POISONED CHALICE | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary:
something that seems very good when it is first received, but in fact does great harm to the person who receives it.
People easily idolise men and women of GOD, rather than adore GOD. At best, they do both, with the former more than the latter.
We must not idolise men or any other created thing, we must only adore GOD, yes, worship Him ALONE.
No matter how anointed a man or woman of GOD may be, it is all by THE HOLY SPIRIT and for Him.
As such, yes, honour the vessel, but don’t worship him. Appreciate the pot, but worship The Potter Who both made him and filled him, and is using him.
As I wrote in a previous Word, “They Saw JESUS Only — JESUS In the Centre!”, this next and FINAL Outpouring of THE HOLY SPIRIT must be STRICTLY without ‘man-worship’ — It must be with only The Worship of THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.
It cannot be overemphasised. The ONLY One we worship is GOD. Not any man (no matter how anointed).
The man of GOD can be honoured. Indeed, must be honoured (1 Timothy 5:17,18; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12). BUT he MUST NOT be worshiped, or followed as has become pervasive nowadays. We only follow and worship THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
“Now after six days JESUS took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His Face shone like the sun, and His Clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to JESUS, “LORD, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a Bright Cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a Voice came out of The Cloud, saying, “This is MY BELOVED SON, in Whom I AM well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But JESUS came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but JESUS ONLY.” Matthew 17:1-8.
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but JESUS only.
Again, we must see and focus on JESUS only, not any man — no matter how anointed; even if anointed like Moses and Elijah!
Benny Hinn
Benny Hinn told a very instructive story some years ago.
He had been invited by a pastor to hold a crusade in his church somewhere in America. According to him, the said pastor had a serious disease (cancer or so) which he had kept a secret from the congregation. And he expected to be healed during the crusade.
During the service, while Pastor Benny was ministering healing, he privately asked the host pastor if he had been healed.
No, he responded despondently.
Benny Hinn continued ministering.
Then suddenly, THE LORD told Benny Hinn that the pastor had not been healed because he was looking to him (Benny Hinn), instead of to Him, JESUS.
Benny Hinn passed the message onto the pastor immediately and exhorted him to look to THE LORD, not him Benny.
The pastor took the counsel and changed the focus of his Faith.
And he was HEALED! Just like that!
Many miss their blessing from THE LORD because of their idolatry of men of GOD.
“Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of CHRIST.” Is CHRIST divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12-13.
Members of the Corinthian Church were following men of GOD: Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (Peter). And Paul wrote to sharply rebuke them to cease and desist from the canality!
The same thing has been pervasively happening in The Church worldwide for many decades now. But now worsening so fast.
Some believers look to the man of GOD, instead of “looking unto JESUS, The Author and Finisher of our Faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured THE CROSS, despising the shame, and has sat down at The Right Hand of The Throne of GOD.” (Hebrews 12:2).
Some people even follow dead men! With vicious and vile rancour, they boast that they are Calvinists or Arminians, wrangling about unScriptural Calvinist doctrines.
This is worse than what the Corinthian Church members were doing. THEY said they were of Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas — living men at the time. (Which was grave idolatry). But worse than that, Calvinists and Arminians follow dead men: John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius. Such are carnal! Indulging in worship of the dead.
Were you saved by CHRIST to believe in the doctrines of men, or The Doctrine of CHRIST?
“…For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?” 1 Corinthians 3:3-4.
This is not a light matter; it is death! Following a man/woman of GOD — alive or dead, or claiming to be Calvinist or Arminian, is carnality. It is death. It displeases GOD greatly.
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against GOD; for it is not subject to The Law of GOD, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD.” Romans 8:6-8.
We must ONLY follow JESUS CHRIST: He Who lives and was dead, as He Himself has said:
“I AM He Who lives, and was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Revelation 1:18.
No other man but JESUS!
“For there is One GOD and One Mediator between GOD and men, The Man CHRIST JESUS, Who gave Himself A Ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
JESUS IN THE CENTRE!
As specifically noted in Scripture, at Calvary, we had “JESUS in the centre.” (John 19:18) — THE HOLY SPIRIT indicating that, “in all things HE should have THE PREEMINENCE”! (Colossians 1:18).
Again, I say that, in this next and FINAL Outpouring of THE HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS must be in the centre – the only MAN we worship and focus on, not the man of GOD.
No one can even minister anything from GOD unless and until given by THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Failure to focus on JESUS can incur The Wrath of GOD and cause one to perish!
“Kiss THE SON, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His Wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:12.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in THE LORD, And whose hope is THE LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8.
At all times, in all things, we must have JESUS IN THE CENTRE!
“…To Him be The Glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18.
“I AM THE LORD, that is My Name; and My Glory I will not give to another, nor My Praise to carved images. ” Isaiah 42:8.
You can also read a related Word: “It’s For THE LORD, Not the Donkey!“
“The LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:22.
“Farewell” Acts 15:29.
~ Jacob Addison Awagah
Like John, I like to put my head to The Heart of JESUS so as to know and do His Will always. What’s in His Heart is what matters now and FOREVER. His Heart’s Desire is my only desire. My will is to do His Will.
As John was, I am the disciple whom JESUS loves. And like Paul, I am “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 3:1) for His Purpose forever: to obey Him always.
NB. Surely, the disciple whom JESUS loves and “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS”, like ALL The Promises of GOD, are available to every believer to obtain, just as John and Paul did.
“And having been perfected, He [JESUS] became The Author of Eternal Salvation to all who obey Him,” Hebrews 5:9.
This is very true and will only get worse in these latter days as the love of many waxes cold.