There are many of us today that have gone through some sort of traumatic or heartbreaking event that has left us with a lot of emotional and mental damage. As a result, there are many people that are searching to find some kind of help to heal from these things either by going to therapy and counseling or getting into a physical activity. Then, there are some of us that have heard of some great pastor that has healed many people through his ministry. So we get excited when we hear he’s coming to our church or is in town at a Christian event and we run to the event just knowing that this man is going to heal us. Then we go and watch this pastor healing and performing miracles and we tell everyone about this pastor’s amazing ability to heal. But, my question for you today is this: Who do you worship? God or man?
First, let me break down something to you called idolatry. According to Webster dictionary, idolatry is excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders adoration. Many times throughout the bible, God expresses his hate for idolatry. Here are just a few verses I found.
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
1 John 5:21
“So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.”
1 Corinthians 10:14
“Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.”
Jonah 2:8
““Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19:4
One of the ten commandments is, “You must not have any other god but me.” Exodus 20:10. Anything that you put all of your hope in and thus place before God is considered idolatry. That can mean a love of money because you think it will solve all of your problems. Becoming addicted to things like drugs, alcohol, or food to cope with your mental issues. Having Buddha statues and charms that you believe will bring you good fortune (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). You can idolize your phone, music, ministry, people, etc. Anything that you place before God is considered idolatry and God hates that.
The specific area of idolatry that I want to focus on today is something we don’t think about often, the worship of man. I am not talking about just men. When the bible uses the word “man” it is specifically speaking about people in general. In Acts 3, Paul and Peter were going around healing people and spreading the gospel. In verses 1-11, they meet a crippled beggar out on the street and Peter heals him. In verses 12-16, Paul explains to the people that it is not by their own power that the man was healed but by the power of God who filled them with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:10-12, they find themselves having to explain to the council who didn’t believe in Jesus, that it was by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene that the crippled man was healed. Then, in Acts 4:23-31, the believers prayed to God to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that they could have the courage to go and preach the gospel and after that prayer, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Our healing and miracles don’t come from ourselves or other people, they come from God. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit in order to do these things in the name of Jesus Christ. It’s not us doing the teaching and preaching, it’s God. All of us who are called to ministry are only vessels being filled with the Holy Spirit in order to do these things. It is God who gives us authority and power. Do not put all your hope and trust in man, trust God. He is our healer, teacher, peace, joy, comfort, and friend. I encourage you to get rid of whatever idols you are attempting to find comfort in and turn to Jesus today! Cry out to him and I promise he will heal you from whatever you are facing. I am not saying that God cannot use someone to heal you, He most definitely can. All I am saying is if he does use a pastor or someone else to heal you, do not worship them, worship God because He is the one who healed you through them and it is God who deserves all of the glory.
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.””
Acts of the Apostles 4:12
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