In the latest teaching on Idolatry we began with the first level, “When Pain Becomes a god,” uncovering how unresolved hurt can take a throne it was never meant to hold. But idolatry doesn’t stop there. Idolatry comes in levels, and while not everyone engages in all of them, each of us has stumbled into at least one. Once pain takes the lead, it often paves the way for level two: “When People Become a god,” fueled by unaddressed disappointment, rejection, and unforgiveness

As we explore these levels, you’ll see how easily idolatry creeps in and why God speaks so strongly against it. When we elevate anything above Him, we provoke His jealousy and invite His judgment.

The Breakdown

The Idolatry of people is one of the most subtle yet spiritually dangerous traps believers face. It can manifest as devotion, admiration, or dependence, but its root lies in displacing God’s authority with the influence of others. This idolatry deceives us because it often covers itself in good intentions—family loyalty, mentorship, or even submission to leadership. However, when people, rather than God, become the ultimate source of our identity, security, or direction, we tread on spiritually dangerous waters.

When People Become “gods”
God created relationships as reflections of His love and glory, but they were never meant to replace Him. The danger lies in allowing human influence to override God’s voice.

Here are a few deeper revelations about how people-worship manifests:

• Exalting Human Approval Above God’s Authority: The desire for validation often enslaves us to people’s opinions. Saul exemplifies this when he disobeyed God to please the people. “I feared the people and obeyed their voice” (1 Samuel 15:24). When we seek affirmation from others over obedience to God, we enthrone them as “gods” in our hearts. Human approval becomes a false savior, offering fleeting acceptance but ultimately leading us away from God’s purpose.
• Misplaced Trust That Displaces God
  Scripture warns, “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5). Trusting people to provide what only God can—peace, security, or identity—sets us up for spiritual failure. Even well-meaning relationships cannot fill the void only God is designed to occupy.
• The Elevation of Relationships Above God’s Will: Jesus addressed this directly: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). This doesn’t advocate for neglect but calls for a radical realignment of priorities. Love for others must never compete with our allegiance to Christ.
• The Worship of Spiritual Leaders or Influencers
  The early church was rebuked for this form of idolatry. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for elevating leaders like himself and Apollos: “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe” (1 Corinthians 3:5). When we idolize pastors, mentors, or influencers, we risk placing their words above God’s Word, creating dependency on man rather than Christ.

This includes worshipping the worship which will be covered in another post. 

Biblical Examples: The Cost of Idolizing People

• Eli’s Failure to Correct His Sons
  In 1 Samuel 2:22–29, Eli honored his sons above God, tolerating their sin instead of confronting it. His idolatry of family brought devastating judgment, demonstrating the consequences of misplaced loyalty.
• Herod’s Desire for Human Glory
  Acts 12:21–23 recounts Herod accepting worship from the crowd, failing to give glory to God. His self-idolatry led to his swift and public demise.
• Peter’s Denial of Christ
  In Luke 22:54–62, Peter’s fear of people led him to deny Jesus three times. His actions revealed how people-worship—rooted in fear—can cause even the most devoted believers to stumble. Yet Peter’s restoration also shows God’s mercy for those who repent.

Deeper Revelation: The Spiritual Roots
At its core, people-worship reflects a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty and a distorted understanding of human worth.

When we idolize people:

• We replace God’s voice with human influence, diminishing our ability to hear Him clearly.
• We distort our identity, anchoring it in relationships or accomplishments rather than our position as children of God.
• We create spiritual bondage, holding ourselves and others to expectations that only God can fulfill.

Dethroning This Level in Real Time

To dethrone this level of idolatry, we must uproot these strongholds through intentional spiritual discipline:

1. Reaffirm God as Supreme in Your Life 
   Meditate on Isaiah 42:8: “I am the Lord; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.”
2. Confront Fear of Man with Fear of God
   Proverbs 29:25 declares, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
3. Prioritize obedience to God over the approval of people, trusting Him to guide and protect you.
4. Anchor Your Identity in Christ
   Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, created for His purposes. Releasing people-worship begins with understanding that no human relationship defines your worth—only God does.
5. Shift Dependency Back to God
   Evaluate and repent for areas where you’ve placed human voices above God’s. Psalm 118:8 reminds us: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

Reflection
Are there people in your life whose opinions, approval, or presence have taken God’s place?
Remember, the idolatry of people leads to spiritual stagnation but surrendering these idols opens the door to deeper intimacy with God.