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Idolising people - 11/30/2008 7:51:20 PM
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Giulia
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From: Giulia
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Usually this happens when someone has some talent. Celebrities in the world is a way of life and concept the world is too familiar with. We also do this as Christians with singers and actors and the fact is it is very unhealthy. Whenever you take the focus of Jesus it is unhealthy. When we become too self obsessed it is unhealthy and really running on and with the Adamic nature. When/if we take the focus off ourselves and glorify someone else we do the same. Actually it is even worse because the focus is on someone else and one step further from giving ourself up to the rightful sacrifice of self we ought to be making each day as committed Christians.
I really don't like the glorification of people. It is not healthy and especially for people who profess to be "Christians". Having a mentor or someone to look up to because they teach us things to do with the way we are seeking to walk in is different. This too can become unhealthy when we lift them to heights were Jesus actually ought to be sitting in our lives.
Actually this spirit is a spirit of coveting and that is is exactly what happens when you idolize someone. It is the quality you desire to have and it is an example from without in someone else. Relating and then from their reflection working on your own similarities is healthy as far as overall development and it is the difference between co dependency and interdependency.
I think that in this day and age many people are self obsessed and lovers of self and they use scripture to back it. It is then dangerous when others idolize that because they are reinforcing this sin which is being justified by the devil through scripture.
It happens in churches with pastors, it happens with worship leaders, it happens with evangelists. It takes the message off Christ and works towards glory of the self. It is dangerous and deceptive and I think the church needs to be aware of this evil which creeps in mostly unnoticed. It is hard and tough but it needs to be exposed in order for us to proceed as a church without blemish.
_____________________________
Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
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RE: Idolising people - 11/30/2008 8:28:40 PM
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truthrevealed
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Ahh, and if ONLY people would realize that the very qualities that they "idolize" in someone else are qualities that they themselves possess!
It works in the negative as well  .
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RE: Idolising people - 11/30/2008 8:35:33 PM
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delete123
Posts: 992
Joined: 6/1/2005
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Guilia~
It is sooo funny that you bring this up. I was just talking about this with someone.
I was abused as a child but had built up my earthly father as "all that" and with the stories of, "Well if he raised me," or "if I was with him during this time," etc...
Never stop to realize that I made him into an idol which was delusional, because he could not do any of the things I have "put" in my mind.
So when another person was speaking to me about what God told another when she questioned God about, "Is my dad in Heaven?' (She recently lost him) God answered her and said, "Do not worry about your earthly father. I am your Heavenly Father!"
They were sstating that they couldn't believe God would say that! I answered: Yes God answered her and was correct. He is The Father and His word says so.
God says: How we a wicked generation can give good gift to our children....
Well you know the rest. But it was then that I realized that maybe I put my earthly father (who has been absent from my life.) and esteemed him over God. With my childhood thoughts of him saving me.
In truth I bypassed the One who DID! Yeah I was on my face
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RE: Idolising people - 12/1/2008 12:20:12 AM
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growingseed
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People are not God's, not do they represent Christ, when they themselves don't have a fellowship with the Lord. There are alot of people who Jesus as a riding platform for their own gain, sad but true, therefore we all have to remember people are sinners no matter how good they seem, we all have something that keeps us from being perfect. If in fact all have sinned and have fallen short of glory, should point us to one who was perfect and he died for us, a pefect example him being Jesus.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/1/2008 8:53:00 AM
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Giulia
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From: Giulia
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quote:
Ahh, and if ONLY people would realize that the very qualities that they "idolize" in someone else are qualities that they themselves possess!
It works in the negative as well
yes, we do posses the qualities we admire. All the time. Unless they are sanctified under the cross they are also idols. This topic is a lot larger than I anticipated because there is danger when we idolize ourselves also. for me, though, when I idolise myself I am easier to catch out. When I have idolised another it has been harder because I have placed them high and out of reach.
quote:
Guilia~
It is sooo funny that you bring this up. I was just talking about this with someone.
I was abused as a child but had built up my earthly father as "all that" and with the stories of, "Well if he raised me," or "if I was with him during this time," etc...
Never stop to realize that I made him into an idol which was delusional, because he could not do any of the things I have "put" in my mind.
So when another person was speaking to me about what God told another when she questioned God about, "Is my dad in Heaven?' (She recently lost him) God answered her and said, "Do not worry about your earthly father. I am your Heavenly Father!"
They were sstating that they couldn't believe God would say that! I answered: Yes God answered her and was correct. He is The Father and His word says so.
God says: How we a wicked generation can give good gift to our children....
Well you know the rest. But it was then that I realized that maybe I put my earthly father (who has been absent from my life.) and esteemed him over God. With my childhood thoughts of him saving me.
In truth I bypassed the One who DID! Yeah I was on my face
Nothing wrong with lifting your earthly father up as long as you are under his roof or under his authority. In fact that is what we ought to do "Honour your father and mother". I imagine that would be hard to do if your father does you wrong as he isn't to provoke you either, yet you must come to forgiveness for him. My mother is still alive. When she errs i correct her but I try not to in front of people as I still honour her because it is what Jesus would have me do. I see my family as being the family of God though I haven't really made any connections there. My earthly family is also in need of my ministering and I am quite close to my mother and my brother. After all this time my brother is starting to look up to me again and i feel the added responsibility to step up to the plate for him. I don't want him, or anyone to look up to me the way they ought to be looking up to God. People wanted to do it to Jesus and He ran to the mountains to escape that.
quote:
People are not God's, not do they represent Christ, when they themselves don't have a fellowship with the Lord. There are alot of people who Jesus as a riding platform for their own gain, sad but true, therefore we all have to remember people are sinners no matter how good they seem, we all have something that keeps us from being perfect. If in fact all have sinned and have fallen short of glory, should point us to one who was perfect and he died for us, a pefect example him being Jesus.
Very true, the beginning of what you said. though the later bit can be debated with scripture and void of self. Anyway, yes. they had them in Jesus day as well and He said that "If they are not against us they are with us, even if they are preaching for the wrong reasons" (paraphrased). I guess it bugs me as much as it did the disciples in those days. It really annoys me when someone who doesn't know Christ gets up and preaches about Him or sings about Him. They are impostors and the first thing I want to do is expose them. Then when I calm down, I hear the words of Jesus. I know of many who started with the right attitude of heart and who glowed with the glory of God but when it went to their head they built a golden calf then cabaaaam! All comes crashing down. People don't even like them anymore because they were not made for that idolisation. People who were chosen and touched by God are meant to glorify Him otherwise there is no deal. The world will never welcome them even it may seem at first that it does.
Much of the church these days loves money and the self, or perhaps it's the self then money. They reinforce it with scripture from the OT (mostly), that if you are lending you are in bondage to who is lending to you and all that. Thing is many of these are spiritually destitute and one day they will be begging from the one who is now a bum on the street. It won't be for mere earthly money either as heavenly riches are worth way more. People will be wondering what has happened and they will try to justify their place by remembering the money they gave to the poor but that won't count cause they already bragged about that and received their rewards.
Anyway better stick to topic: Christians aren't supposed to idolise people because if you are seated in heavenly places in Christ there is no higher place. that is when I see a person tell me they are Christian but then they also have people they look up to (apart from any mentors). I know that their place in Christ is delusional. If they were really in Christ they would not look up to someone just cause they belt out a few tunes or act like someone who they are not or every other discipline which people idolise others for.
Sometimes people get told that someone's talents are actually an anointing. Which is a lie most of the time. This also adds to the idolisation of people. Sometimes when I see someone who really loves God I fall in love with Jesus in them and this is what true fellowship is. Then I realise it is better to rise in love than fall in love. Falling is not something I aspire to do ever and if I fail to see that if it wasn't for Jesus in me I wouldn't see Jesus in them rationale then I would be in deep trouble.
Fact is idolising others also paralyses you because it is a golden calf right there. God is obscured behind it and until He takes up rightful place in your heart you will be as the follower of something which is small anyway. How ever large it may apear to you at the time.
_____________________________
Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
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RE: Idolising people - 12/1/2008 5:10:49 PM
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poetessfree
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hello guila,
good post. I find it particularly disturbing when members treat their "prophets/prophetess" like some king/queen or even worse, a god. I know some churches where they wash their feet, are at their beck and call, take their clothes to cleaners, cook for them, clean for them. I mean it is so ridiculous. And they say that "well they have to be comfortable so that they can hear from God. They don't need any distractions." I mean they run their errands. I just don't get that at all. I wonder where they got the idea that they should be treated like they're above everybody else, when the fact is, majority of the prophets of God met horrible conditions: Jeremiah in the mud, Elijah running for his life while Jezebel was killing prophets left and right, the prophet slain between the temple, and so on. Not to mention Paul after his conversion, he doesn't call himself a prophet but did in many ways, prophesied in many of his letters. I bet these so called prophets, apostles would be cowering in their shoes if they had to do even the slightest thing that God called His prophets to do. How about Isaiah walking barefoot and naked 3 years? Would any of these do that? It is just sad to see this. The lifting up of oneself in order to be adored. That is how Jim Jones became lifted up. They wanted to believe in miracles and thought they were seeing miracles but were deceived and weren't seeing anything at all because they were blinded, they were lifting up a man and not lifting up Jesus, the Righteous One. I find it degrading and disrespecting to our Father in heaven Who is a jealous God and rightfully so for it is He Who created us, sent His Son to save us and loves us so, why on earth or in the heavens would we worship anything or any one other than HIM? smh.......
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RE: Idolising people - 12/2/2008 1:38:10 PM
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IMA_CHRISTIAN
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quote:
ORIGINAL: poetessfree
hello guila,
good post. I find it particularly disturbing when members treat their "prophets/prophetess" like some king/queen or even worse, a god. I know some churches where they wash their feet, are at their beck and call, take their clothes to cleaners, cook for them, clean for them. I mean it is so ridiculous. And they say that "well they have to be comfortable so that they can hear from God. They don't need any distractions." I mean they run their errands. I just don't get that at all. I wonder where they got the idea that they should be treated like they're above everybody else, when the fact is, majority of the prophets of God met horrible conditions: Jeremiah in the mud, Elijah running for his life while Jezebel was killing prophets left and right, the prophet slain between the temple, and so on. Not to mention Paul after his conversion, he doesn't call himself a prophet but did in many ways, prophesied in many of his letters. I bet these so called prophets, apostles would be cowering in their shoes if they had to do even the slightest thing that God called His prophets to do. How about Isaiah walking barefoot and naked 3 years? Would any of these do that? It is just sad to see this. The lifting up of oneself in order to be adored. That is how Jim Jones became lifted up. They wanted to believe in miracles and thought they were seeing miracles but were deceived and weren't seeing anything at all because they were blinded, they were lifting up a man and not lifting up Jesus, the Righteous One. I find it degrading and disrespecting to our Father in heaven Who is a jealous God and rightfully so for it is He Who created us, sent His Son to save us and loves us so, why on earth or in the heavens would we worship anything or any one other than HIM? smh.......
wow i never was to a church that did this servicing to these alleged prophets. I can only think of one verse where Jesus might say "they have their reward" ( meaning its not gonna count for storing up heavenly treasures, just earthly treausres which aint much.)
_____________________________
Just give us peace, Lord.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/2/2008 7:13:25 PM
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SonInMe1
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No one is good. To idolize any but God is foolishness. They will ALWAYS let you down.
The only good christian is one you don't know very well.
Name one "holy hero" in the bible, other than Christ, that did not have some serious flaws. There are none.
When we watch tv all day and are saturated with "good" vs "bad", we become indoctrinated into thinking there are people who do good and do good all the time. This is a faslehood. A fabrication to indoctrinate you toward a way of thinking, believing some have the true way and you don't.
Heresy.
We are all fallen beings in need of Christ.
There is no good that exists outside of God and His influence. Look to your pastor? Fool. Look to the celebrity? Fool. Look to the latest theology? Fool.
Get the picture yet?
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Idolising people - 12/2/2008 7:41:32 PM
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ladyichigo
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I think I idolized my dad when I was younger. I even remember (I was about 7) calling him "god" when I was trying to call out, "Daddy".
I learned a valuable lesson the day he killed himself.
_____________________________
Mari
My profile picture is a picture of Ko'olina cliffs on the windward side of Oahu. Every time I pass by them, I could only think of one thing....GOD is AWESOME!
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RE: Idolising people - 12/3/2008 12:42:53 PM
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LawrenceJCaldwell
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Guilia,
What a great post. For all, take a look at this excerpt from my upcoming book, Christian Mythology.
He asked us to forsake the world, even our families, and take up His cross and follow Him. It would remain a light burden as long as He carried it with us. But the moment we turn our backs on Him, that cross becomes a burden to us and an open shame to Him. It is this cross that we idolize more than any other religious object today.
When Jesus said, “It is finished” He meant it. Not only was sin conquered, the Devil vanquished, and the price paid for atonement, but it was also the end of the crucifixion. Jesus died once for all sin for all men for all time. He is not put to the death daily. See Hebrews 9-10. So why do so-called Christians where a cross on a chain around their necks? Why are there crosses in our churches? Worse yet, why are there crosses in so many places with a supposed likeness of Jesus still hanging there?
Jesus is not on the cross anymore. He doesn’t die all over again every time we sin. He doesn’t shed His blood all over again every time we think we need atonement. He died once and then rose again into heaven. To put Him on the cross means we don’t believe that His death, burial, and resurrection were sufficient for paying the price of our sin. And let’s remember again what that sin is that He died for.
He did not die for the bad things we do. He died because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. In Adam, we all died because he and we willfully separate ourselves from God and in our very nature and will we turn from Him and say, “No God.” The fool has said in his heart there is no God. We idolatrous fools say “No” to God every time. We look to ourselves and the things we can see and hear and touch and fashion with our own hands and say, “These are sufficient for me. These are all I need. I don’t need God. I am god! Look at what I can do. Why do I need God when I can do all this for myself?” And God replies, “You fool, this night your soul is required of you.” Who will save you now? Jesus died for that sin of self-idolatry, the very willful nature that turns its back on God. It is our flesh.
Upon our very flesh we wear blatant symbols that cry out, “No God! Your death was not sufficient for me.” Christian, tear off that cross. Tear down that cross from the altar. Destroy the images of a dying Christ. It is finished.
Didymus heard this truth. But he disobeyed anyway, turned his back, left Paul and his Lord. God says for people like this there is no more sacrifice for sin. Those who put Jesus to open shame again and again and again trample his blood underfoot. They deny the power of God and look only to themselves and their pathetic religiosity to make them appear right and white before men. But these are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus called the Pharisees white sepulchers full of dead men’s bones. No one can claim that they have not heard the warnings of Jesus. Those who turn are in danger of hell fire.
_____________________________
Lawrence J. Caldwell
Author & Speaker
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RE: Idolising people - 12/3/2008 11:50:29 PM
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Casper22
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I am very guilty of idolising especially if the person be it singer, preacher or writer touches my heart. I tend to put people like that on too high a pedestal. For instance when my mom had died there was this pastor that helped me so much to get through that and he hung the moon as far as I was concerned and I put him so high above every other preacher and was so thankful for what he had done for me and mine. But then there was a situation were his wife committed adultery and he fell off the deep end and did alot of things that hurt the church and because of his devestation over what his wife did and because I had put him on such a high pedestal and basically idolised him it shook my faith when he turned out not to be the supper christian I thought he was. Idolising is an issue for everybody somewhere down the road. We all deal with it. Even the strongest of Christians deal with it some are more stubborn than others to get them to admit it like my Papa and his infatuation with Johnny Cash ; ) He has a room basically enshrined to him. But his excuse is its a representation to let people know what good music is and what they should be listening too. Ah the Ederly God love them so set in there ways lol. I personally struggle with Heavy Metal music I have bipolar depression and I tend to fall back on that particular music to pull me out of my state of mind. Dont ask me why it just works for me I cant explain it but I tend to put certain groups in an idolotry situation especially those that have helped through alot of difficulties and I hate being that way and I try not to but breaking away from that isnt easy for me because ive associated it with something that has helped me in the past and I look at it as my life line in alot of ways. Anyway just my 2 cents
take care all
Casper
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RE: Idolising people - 12/5/2008 3:20:01 AM
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Annie64
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I have been guilty of idolizing a Christian musician. God convicted me of it, and used it, and my repentance, to teach me so much. I'm not glad I did it, but I'm glad for the things I learned. There's very little that I'm more ashamed of than that time in my life. DON'T DO IT! I'll tell you from experience that once anything becomes an idol it becomes very, very hard to put down. Without God's help, it is impossible. I'd have gotten tired of it eventually, but when I was convicted and tried to stop deliberately, I couldn't. I had to come to realize that I had developed an issue that I needed deliverance from, and I couldn't fix myself. God was faithful to me and did deliver me, but it took a long time.
_____________________________
On Christ the solid rock I stand
ALL other ground is sinking sand.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/5/2008 7:20:52 PM
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Giulia
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From: Giulia
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The bible tells us to esteem people over ourselves. Not to idolise them though but to esteem them regardless of their status. Disregarding the status quo and esteeming people purely because they are in the image of God. God is not a respecter of persons and money and status has absolutely nothing to do with honour. Many people with money are miserable, some with money use that as a show of God's favour for them. Actually this is not true because many people make money through dirty tactics so it just means that you are good at stooging people. In regards to status it is the same thing. Sometimes people get where they are through kissing people's butts. That is not a very glamorous process. Neither is it honourable. Many who have money and fame will knock at the door of heaven and be refused entry. I am building for heaven not temporary glory of man nor temporary convenience or luxury. Jesus was hated and no servant is greater than his master, as they hated Him they will also hate you. That is if you are walking in His Holiness.
_____________________________
Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
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RE: Idolising people - 12/6/2008 2:03:25 PM
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whatswrongwithme
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I am gulity of idolizing celebrities. They SEEM to live such glamourous lives and at one point in my life I wanted that kind of life. That carefree life that allowed you to do whatever you wanted. Well I am not a celebrity but I have tried living carefree and its not worth it. Its better to serve the Lord all the days of your life than to try to live a happy life alone....it just wont be that happy in the end. I definitely am guilty of putting celebrities high above others as though they were GOD. Its one of the things I have repented of, and am trying to move past right now. I see how foolish it really is now.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/6/2008 6:34:36 PM
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kingdust
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quote:
ORIGINAL: whatswrongwithme
I am gulity of idolizing celebrities. They SEEM to live such glamourous lives and at one point in my life I wanted that kind of life.
Idolizing is one thing but wanting to be idolized is quite another, yet, basically, the same thing.
People love to be adored and praised, so they display own fire works which can be anything that attracts others with personal beauty, character, possession, etc.
Speaking of "personal fire works", here is a good verse to ponder;
ISA 50:11 But now, all you who light fires
and provide yourselves with flaming torches,
go, walk in the light of your fires
and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:
You will lie down in torment.
_____________________________
I am an English as Second Language person and love corrections, kind or unkind, positive or negative, with love or without love, which I am grateful of. Just GIVE!
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RE: Idolising people - 12/7/2008 3:13:41 AM
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Giulia
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From: Giulia
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quote:
Idolizing is one thing but wanting to be idolized is quite another, yet, basically, the same thing.
True, I mentioned that earlier. We should only have one idol: Jesus Christ. It's a fight, but fight worth fighting.
_____________________________
Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
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RE: Idolising people - 12/7/2008 9:52:47 AM
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kingdust
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Giulia
quote:
Idolizing is one thing but wanting to be idolized is quite another, yet, basically, the same thing.
True, I mentioned that earlier. We should only have one idol: Jesus Christ. It's a fight, but fight worth fighting.
Have you realize that Jesus had no beauty to be idolized in the eyes of the natural being?
His light was, is not that fantastic to attract us natural beings.
So, we like to use our light of human beauty to shine for us and Him, as if we are reflecting 'His light'.
Are we displaying our light or His light?
Light is light and hard to tell the difference in close range due to the effect of blindness.
At least one thing I know about His light is 'homely'.
_____________________________
I am an English as Second Language person and love corrections, kind or unkind, positive or negative, with love or without love, which I am grateful of. Just GIVE!
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RE: Idolising people - 12/7/2008 10:40:43 AM
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Cloak
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That's a GREAT topic Guilia!!! Sadly this idolizing exists even among Christians.
Each time Jesus becomes 2nd best in people's life, they become guilty of it.
_____________________________
Blessings!
And My God shall meet ALL Your Needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)
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RE: Idolising people - 12/7/2008 3:17:31 PM
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eaglelady11
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I am guilty of this, not only idolizing a celebrity but also fearing a person when I should really fear God. In the first case, it is because the person is talented, creative and has good business sense and makes a lot of money. I guess I could admire rather than idolize the person; in the seocond case, it's idolatry because I am more concerned about my mother than I am pleasing god and that is not good. I pray God to take away that fear and also the idolatry.
good subject.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/7/2008 3:54:25 PM
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LivingParadox
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First off, I don't think any of us should be idolizing a person, place or thing as if I'm not mistaken that is one of the 10 commandments. God and God alone (The Trinity) is worthy of that kind of adoration.
With that said, to put another point out there, there is a healthy balance of recognizing God's gifts to people. In right proportions it's good to admire someones ability to sing, to listen, to preach the word, to balance a checkbook, to nurture, etc. and when appropriate to encourage these gifts to be used in humility. These are God given talents and ablilites that give glory to God. The Bible has very specific examples of God giving special gifts: Joseph has the gift of administration and considered physically beautiful; David was a gifted musician and had a heart after God's own heart; Solomon had great wisdom and ruled with peace and great wealthy; Paul was a gifted teacher and an accomplished writer -- all just ordinary men, flaws and all, with God glorifying gifts.
We've all been given good gifts in the number fo talents and the measure of the talent. Admiring gifts and the proper use of them is ok. Idolizing someone because they have a gift takes the attention off the giver of the gift which is not ok. It's when we take our eyes off the giver and put them on the receiver we lose our way.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/8/2008 9:52:35 AM
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kingdust
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
We've all been given good gifts in the number fo talents and the measure of the talent. Admiring gifts and the proper use of them is ok. Idolizing someone because they have a gift takes the attention off the giver of the gift which is not ok. It's when we take our eyes off the giver and put them on the receiver we lose our way.
The problem is that not many gifted people know how to cover their face like Mose did.
Why did Moses have to cover his face when his face glowed reflecting the glory of God?
Why can't so many un-gifted homely people avoid blinding by those personal fire works of the gifted, sparkling like stars in the sky?
Don't we have a strong desire to shine like a star, or at least to have as small acknowledgment as 'you look good'?
The desire to adore or to be adored seems to be the root source for 'idolizing'.
Love to adore, because I don't have much to adore.
Love to be adored because I have much to be adored.
The problem is that no one can share the personal glory, much less willing to share.
So adoration can give or get back only an empty light that fills no empty heart, figuratively speaking.
Tell me who hates to be sparkling with wisdom, knowledge, talent, ability, will power, self confidence, possessions, etc.?
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RE: Idolising people - 12/8/2008 10:07:33 AM
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TorchHeart
Posts: 1950
Joined: 6/4/2008
From: One of the coldest places on Earth
Status: online
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So how would one differentiate between idolizing and simply envying what another person has? In this thread, it just seems to me like the two are one in the same, but that doesn't seem right.
I would personally say that I've been guilty of envying someone else for what they have or who they are in love with, but I wouldn't say that I idolized that same person.
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RE: Idolising people - 12/8/2008 2:55:32 PM
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theolotee
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Great thread Guilia! And the timing couldn't be more perfect with Christmas around the corner... it is easy this time of year to idolize people and the "earthly things" they have. Thanks for posting this!
Merry Christmas!
theolotee
"wear your theology on your theolotee"
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RE: Idolising people - 12/9/2008 4:45:32 AM
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Giulia
Posts: 923
Joined: 9/29/2005
From: Giulia
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quote:
The desire to adore or to be adored seems to be the root source for 'idolizing'.
Love to adore, because I don't have much to adore.
Love to be adored because I have much to be adored.
I adore Christ and when someone has Christ, and let's face it there are few on this earth who actually have Christ, then when two or three are gathered in His name He is there in all His glory. I have only ever known 3 Christians with Christ truly in them and they are often busy leading people so I don't get much time with them. Doesn't really matter because just to be in the same room is glorious. I have chased them everywhere but I have also been disappointed. This is my own fault because I need to cultivate my own relationship, not substitute it with wanting to be with them. Even if the bible does say we should fellowship often. I am talking about people who have the glory of Christ in them, of course.
When I was reading the bible today I came across 1 Thessalonians 5:12- "We beseech you, bretheren (that would be sisteren as well), to respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work." So if you have someone over you in the Lord then you should do this, though I think that your own discernment should also play a part in keeping them in line because if they lead you up the creek without a paddle and you are under them then you are guilty of their error too. Some people don't have anyone over them in the Lord and the Holy Spirit teaches them all things even though they are also subject to other prophets as we are all subject to the Living Word.
< Message edited by Giulia -- 12/9/2008 5:08:16 AM >
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