One definition of admiration is respect and warm approval. It’s good to admire people who embody strong character traits, such as kindness and honesty. But what happens when praise becomes idolatry? According to the Bible, idolatry is the worship of something greater than God, but some of us, without even realizing it, come close to idolatry of those we admire.
As believers, we have a binding covenant with God, promising to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. So, when praising others draws our loyalty away from God, we are in danger of idolatry.
Let’s explore some behaviors that may indicate that we have unstable feelings of admiration. By examining our level of devotion to others, we hope that we can recognize idolatrous tendencies before we cross the line.
When you shouldn’t do the wrong thing
I have a list of people I deeply respect, including friends, family, and pastors. There are many things I appreciate about them: their gifts, talents, wisdom, and love for God. But we also understand that they are not perfect.
they are humans.
They are fallible.
They’re just doing their best.
Praise requires discernment and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. That doesn’t mean pointing out every flaw, but it does mean recognizing wrongdoing and resisting covering it up. As Proverbs 21:2 says: “A man may think his way is right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
With this verse in mind, what does God say about the people you admire? How do their words and actions align with the Bible? Are there any persistent characteristics that are misleading?
It is worth considering such questions if you want to be praised under God’s authority. It’s okay to have different opinions. It’s okay to see their flaws and love them anyway. But if certain people don’t have a negative effect on your eyes, it may be helpful to take a step back and adjust your perspective.
Lord, help me to recognize when I idolize someone and believe that they can do no wrong. I need your wisdom regarding the people I admire the most because only you are perfect. In the name of Jesus, amen.
If you follow their every move,
Fan clubs have been around for a long time. It is believed that some groups followed opera singers in the 1800s.
Today, passionate fans follow the latest pop star’s every move, oohing and aahing at every performance, never missing a beat. It doesn’t seem to matter that many of the lyrics are full of curse words and risqué content. People follow their every move.
It’s one thing to admire someone’s talent, but it’s dangerous to idolize everything they do. Many of our youth are attracted to secular music and the Hollywood lifestyle. They are blinded by the “success” of fame and fortune and hope to grow up to be like their favorite actors and musicians.
Exodus 20:2-3 says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, the land of slavery; you shall have no other god besides me.” This is the basis of our faith, a reminder of who we worship: the God of heaven and earth. He is the One to follow and the One to imitate our lives.
There’s nothing wrong with following certain influencers, and in the right circumstances it can be productive, but worshiping people because of their notoriety is a dangerous path.
Lord, help me to keep to Your will and ways and to follow You first. I’m sorry for degrading people. Only you can be exalted above all. In the name of Jesus, amen.
when justifying sin
Praising someone’s flaws often involves justifying their sins. When our love is out of sync, we make excuses for compromising behavior, such as:
They only live once.
They are “finding” themselves.
They are pursuing happiness.
These things may sound good on the surface, but they actually justify a self-centered way of life. Praising someone too much is just another form of idolatry packaged in another form.
In this crosswalk devotion, Heidi Vegh writes, “The sin of idolatry is nothing new. In Ecclesiastes it is written: ‘What was once shall be again, and what was once done shall be again.’ There is nothing new under the sun.” Just like the people of ancient Israel, we struggle with the sin of idolatry, although it may look a little different or come in a different package.”
Be the kind of person who speaks the truth in love. If someone you respect is behaving inappropriately, address the situation prayerfully and protect yourself from following suit.
As 1 Corinthians 15:33 says: “Do not make the mistake of thinking, “Bad company corrupts good character.”
This passage is a good reminder to reevaluate our relationships and set healthy parameters where appropriate. A big part of praise is respecting others enough to save them from their sins rather than following them.
Lord, help me to speak the truth fearlessly and in love. Soften my praise so that it is in accordance with your commandments. I never want to justify sin. Instead, I want to point people to your love and forgiveness. In the name of Jesus, amen.
When you support them at all costs
On either side of the political arena, there are people who often express unwavering support for elected officials, regardless of the decisions they make. This is a dangerous attitude and can easily cross the line into idolatry.
As believers, we recognize that no human leader should receive irrefutable support. They, too, are called to live according to God’s principles, whether they admit it or not. The Bible contains holy standards that supersede political agendas. And when people’s policies go against God’s Word, it may be time to reconsider supporting those policies.
Keep praying, voting, writing letters, and signing petitions in alignment with God’s purposes. However, try to be wise about supporting someone at all costs, especially under the label of “admiration”.
Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now seeking approval, or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (ESV)
There are several questions to ask yourself when identifying idolatry.
Am I constantly seeking their approval and attention?
Am I willing to compromise my faith to gain their acceptance?
Do I support someone who openly opposes the Bible?
Kelly Odell Stanley offers the following prayer for discernment in this area:
“My hope is in You, Lord. When I don’t know what to think, Lord, my hope is in You.”
When I don’t know how to reconcile my faith and politics, my hope is in you.
Even when I don’t know how to reconcile the faith and politics of others, my hope remains in you. ”
Take this prayer with you as you reframe your praise in the light of God’s Word. God is your hope, your joy, and the source of your true praise.
More resources for your journey:
6 signs you’re worshiping celebrities as false idols
Recognizing cultural Christianity and the idolization of politics and faith
Destroy Your Idols – iBelieve Truth: Devotional for Women
Photo credit: © Unsplash/Shaun Frankland
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and a regular contributor to LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com, where you can find her books and subscribe to her weekly post, “Disappointment Can’t Win.” She lives with her family near her favorite place on earth, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
