Acts 14:15
“And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”
An interesting story occurred in the verse above. Paul and Barnabas arrived at the city of Lystra to preach the Gospel. While they were preaching, they saw a man who was crippled. This man had not walked from birth. While they preached, this crippled man listened and accepted Christ as his Saviour. It says that Paul perceived “that he had faith to be healed,…” With this perception, he told the man to stand up and walk. At this command, God healed this cripple and he stood up and walked.
The people of Lystra saw this, and with their superstitious beliefs, they believed that Paul and Barnabas were gods. The people immediately wanted to sacrifice oxen and garlands in honor of Paul and Barnabas. When Paul and Barnabas perceived what these people were doing, they immediately stopped them and told them that they were “men of like passions.” In other words, they didn’t want people to worship them or give them glory, because they were simply men, and the only One Who deserves glory is God.
One thing we all must be careful about is how high we lift up man. I recently heard of an assistant pastor who said, “Around here we worship our man of God.” That may sound good, and that may sound like he was being loyal, but that is an erroneous statement. No man of God should be worshipped. Just because a man of God may be a good man whom God has used does not give anyone a right to worship him. No man deserves the credit that God deserves. God is the only One to Whom we should give glory.
Let me make this clear, there is nothing wrong with admiring or honoring a man of God. Romans 13:7 says, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Yes, we should give credit to men whom God has used, but that credit should never supersede or take away from the credit you give to God.
Moreover, you will find that a good man will not desire the credit. A man who demands you give him credit is a man who has placed himself above God. Isaiah 42:8 says, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” When a man takes God’s glory, God will remove that man.
Friend, let me encourage you to keep a proper perspective of your leaders. Honor them, love them and admire them, but don’t ever place them above God. If you get upset when someone says not to worship your leader, you have crossed over into an area where you have moved your leader above God. Always remember that every person is a man “of like passions.” Every man is a sinner and is fallible. When men talk more of themselves and what they have done than they do of what God is doing, then beware of them. God deserves all glory, and you must be careful that you don’t steal any of His glory and give it to man.