One definition of admiration is respect and warm approval. It’s good to admire people who exemplify strong character traits such as kindness and integrity. But what happens when admiration becomes idolatry? According to the Bible, idolatry is revering anything above God, and for some of us, we come close to idolizing people we admire without even realizing it.
As believers, we are in a binding covenant with God, promising to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. So, when we allow admiration of people to divert our allegiance away from Him, we are in danger of idolatry.
Let’s explore some behaviors that might indicate we've allowed admiration to teeter on the edge. Hopefully, by examining the extent of our devotion to people, we’ll be able to recognize idolatrous tendencies before crossing that line.
When They Can Do No Wrong
I have a list of people, including friends, family, and pastors, whom I deeply admire. There are many things I appreciate about them, including their gifts, talents, wisdom, and love for God. But I also realize they’re not perfect.
They’re human.
They’re fallible.
They’re simply trying their best.
Admiration requires discernment and the ability to detect right from wrong. It doesn’t mean we point out every flaw, but it does mean we recognize wrongdoing and resist glossing over it. As Proverbs 21:2 says, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
With this passage in mind, what does God say about the person you so admire? How do their words and actions line up with the Scriptures? Is there a persistent trait that is misleading?
Questions like these are worth considering as you bring admiration under God’s authority. It’s ok to disagree with people. It’s ok to see their flaws and love them anyway. But if certain people can do no wrong in your eyes, it might be helpful to take a step back and adjust your perspective.
Lord, please help me discern when I’m idolizing someone, believing they can do no wrong. Only You are perfect, and I need Your wisdom concerning those I admire most. In Jesus’ name, amen.
When You Follow Their Every Move
Fan clubs have been around for a long time. Supposedly, there were even groups of people who followed opera singers in the 1800s!
Today, we see die-hard fans following every move of the latest pop stars, “oohing” and “aahing” over 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 continue to follow their every move.
Admiring someone’s talent is one thing, but idolizing everything they do is dangerous. Many of our youth are drawn in by secular music and the Hollywood lifestyle. They are bedazzled by the “success” of fame and fortune, hoping 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, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” This is foundational to our faith, remembering Who it is we worship - the God of heaven and earth. He is the One to follow, the One to pattern our lives after.
Following certain influencers isn’t bad, and can even be productive in the right situations, but idolizing people for their notoriety is a dangerous path to take.
Lord, help me follow You first, adhering to Your will and way. I’m sorry for putting people on a pedestal. Only You are exalted above all. In Jesus’ name, amen.
When You Justify Sin
Admiring someone to a fault often includes justifying sin. When our affections are misaligned, we make excuses for compromising behaviors such as:
They only live once.
They are “finding” themselves.
They are chasing happiness.
These sound good on the surface, but are really justifications for self-centered living. Overly admiring someone is simply another form of idolatry packaged differently.
In this Crosswalk devotional, Heidi Vegh writes, “The sin of idolatry is nothing new. In Ecclesiastes, we read, ‘What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.’ We fight the sin of idolatry just as the people did in ancient Israel. It may look a bit different or be packaged differently, but the sin of idolatry is alive and well.”
Be the kind of person who speaks the truth in love. If someone you admire is acting inappropriately, prayerfully address the situation and guard yourself against following suit.
As 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
This passage is a good reminder to reevaluate our relationships and set healthy parameters when necessary. A big part of admiration is respecting others enough to help them out of sin instead of going along with it.
Lord, please help me speak the truth in love without fear. Temper my admiration so it falls in line with Your commandments. I never want to justify sin; instead, I want to turn people to Your love and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
When You Support Them at All Costs
On both sides of the political arena, some people demonstrate unwavering support for their elected officials, often regardless of the decisions they make. This is a dangerous stance to take, and it easily crosses the line into idolatry.
As believers, we recognize that no human leader should have irrefutable support. They, too, are called to live according to God’s principles, whether they acknowledge it or not. There is a holy standard written in the Bible that supersedes political agendas. And when the policies of men oppose God’s Word, it might be time to reconsider supporting them.
Keep praying, voting, writing letters, and signing petitions that align with God’s purposes, but be wise about supporting someone at all costs, especially under the label of “admiration.”
Galatians 1:10 says, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (ESV)
Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to discern idolatry:
Am I constantly seeking their approval or attention?
Am I willing to compromise my faith to gain their acceptance?
Am I supporting someone who is blatantly opposing the Bible?
Kelly O’Dell Stanley offers this 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 my politics, my hope is in You.
When I don’t know how to reconcile other people’s faith and their politics, my hope is still in You.”
Take this prayer with you as you reframe admiration in light of God’s Word. He is your hope, your joy, and your true Source of admiration.
More Resources for Your Journey:
6 Signs You're Worshipping Celebrities as False Idols
Recognizing Cultural Christianity and the Idolization of Politics and Faith
Destroy Your Idols - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women
Photo credit: © Unsplash/Shaun Frankland
