When Admiration Becomes Idolatry

It’s been many years since I struggled with placing pastors or ministry leaders on pedestals, but I’ve done it. Not because I wanted to worship them (God forbid), but because I admired their knowledge of Scripture, the clarity they brought to hard truths, and how they seemed so grounded when I was still figuring things out.

I was recently accused of idolizing a recent Pastor of mine. There is more to the story, of course, but the comment wasn’t just unkind, it wasn’t true. And while it would’ve been easy to get defensive, it actually got me thinking.

The truth is, I have wrestled with this in the past. And I know others do too. Especially in a time when celebrity pastors, bestselling authors, and well-branded podcasts can shape our theology more than our Bibles do.

So let’s talk about it. Not to defend or accuse, but to examine our hearts, recalibrate our focus, and remind ourselves of who we truly follow.

From Admiration to Idolatry

Admiring a godly leader isn’t wrong. In fact, Scripture says we should respect those who labor in teaching and preaching (1 Timothy 5:17). But admiration becomes idolatry when:

• We accept everything they say without testing it against God’s Word.
• Their approval matters more than God’s.
• Their failure feels like our faith is crumbling.
• Their name is on our lips more than Christ’s.

I remember years ago, while attending a church in Chicago, this tendency was even encouraged. It was subtle, but there was this unspoken belief that the pastors were the final word. Their interpretations were right. Their theology was unquestionable. And if you had doubts? You must not be mature yet. Add to that, if you had questions or wanted to meet with these pastors, it was nearly impossible unless you were in their inner circle. So weird now looking back!

What I’ve learned since then, through study, godly friendships, and being part of a church that treasures expositional preaching, is that any leader who invites that kind of loyalty without pointing you back to the Word is leading you into dangerous territory.

It’s Not Just Pastors

This isn’t just about the pulpit. It’s about podcasts, blogs (yes, even mine!), books, Instagram posts, and YouTube channels.

We’ve seen the rise and fall of many prominent Christian voices:

• Ravi Zacharias: revered for decades, only to be exposed after death for predatory behavior.
• Mark Driscoll: captivating speaker, strong theology in some areas, but known for pride, harshness, and an abusive leadership style.
• Jen Hatmaker: once embraced by evangelicals, now a symbol of progressive deconstruction and departure from biblical truth.
• Beth Moore: widely popular but increasingly aligned with emotionalism and, more recently, theological confusion.
• Steven Furtick, Mike Todd, Christine Caine, Sarah Jakes Roberts: blending scripture with hype, mysticism, or motivational fluff.
• Leighton Flowers: once aligned with traditional Southern Baptist views, now known for promoting provisionism and misrepresenting Reformed theology.
• Steven Lawson: Formerly a respected Reformed preacher, Lawson admitted to a grievous moral failure involving an inappropriate relationship, leading to his removal from ministry.
• Josh Buice: Founder of G3 Ministries, Buice resigned after it was revealed he used anonymous accounts to slander fellow Christian leaders, including Voddie Baucham.

Now, I know for some of you, these names might be surprising to see. You may have done Beth’s Bible studies (so did I). You might have listened to Steven Furtick’s sermons or enjoyed Steven Lawson’s expository preaching (I did too). There was a time I quoted some of them regularly and admired their ministries. But over time, through study, prayer, and discernment, I began to notice concerning patterns, theological shifts, and even clear departures from sound doctrine.

My goal here isn’t to shame anyone. It’s to say: we all grow, we all learn, and sometimes that means re-evaluating who we listen to and why. Sometimes it means saying, “I didn’t see it then, but I do now.”

These names aren’t listed to throw stones. It’s just… reality. We’ve watched many of them shift over time or reveal what was there all along.

Charisma is not the same as Christlikeness. Popularity is not the same as faithfulness.

And just because someone sprinkles Bible verses doesn’t mean they’re teaching the Bible in context.

The Danger of Disillusionment

One of the clearest signs that we’ve put someone too high in our hearts is how we respond when they fall or when they simply disappoint us.

Maybe they shift their theology. Maybe they say something careless. Maybe they sin, get called out, and instead of repenting, they double down or disappear. Suddenly, we feel rattled. Shaken. Betrayed. Some even begin to question their faith. 

But that’s the danger: if your foundation is someone talking about Jesus rather than Jesus Himself, it’s only a matter of time before the ground starts to crumble.

I’ve been there. Not in a “walked away from the faith” way, but I’ve had moments of deep discouragement when someone I trusted as a faithful voice turned out to be not so faithful. It’s a gut punch. But the longer I’ve walked with the Lord, the more I see those moments as grace, not punishment.

They remind me that no one is worthy of our trust, loyalty, or reference like Christ is.

And they push me back to the Word. Not a devotional book. Not a livestream. Not a conference. Just the Word. Living. Active. Enough.

If you’re feeling disillusioned because someone you looked up to let you down, let me gently say this: that ache in your heart isn’t because God failed you. It’s because someone tried to take a seat that only He belongs in.

A Good Leader Points You to Jesus

Here’s the thing: we need faithful leaders. God has given pastors, teachers, and shepherds as gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:11-12). When handled rightly, their influence can be life-giving. But when the spotlight shines brighter on the leader than on the Lord they proclaim, something’s gone off course.

A good leader doesn’t try to be your anchor.

They remind you that Christ already is.

A good leader isn’t offended when you test their teaching.

They invite it and rejoice when you hold fast to Scripture.

A good leader doesn’t need your loyalty.

They want your loyalty to be rooted in truth, not personality.

The most faithful pastors I’ve known, like my current ones, aren’t looking for applause or a following. They’re simply preaching the Word, pointing to Jesus, and helping the sheep stay focused on the Chief Shepherd. They aren’t perfect, and they don’t pretend to be. But their desire is clear: that you would know, love, and follow Christ, not them.

I’ve sat under pastors who made it all about themselves. I’ve also sat under those who quietly and consistently preached the Word, week in and week out, with zero fanfare. Guess which one helped me grow in my love for the Bible?

Here’s the test:

When you leave a sermon, podcast, or book, are you more impressed by the messenger or more in awe of Jesus?

Pray for Discernment and Redirection

Let’s be real: this isn’t a one-and-done issue. Our hearts are always looking for someone to follow. Someone we can admire, learn from, and maybe even emulate. And that’s not inherently wrong. But if we’re not prayerful, that admiration can quietly drift into misplaced loyalty.

That’s why we need to be praying regularly:

• “Lord, help me see You more clearly than I see any human leader.”
• “If there’s anyone I’m putting too high in my heart, show me.”
• “Redirect my gaze. Re-center my trust. Guard my discernment.”

Ask the Lord for wisdom to evaluate the voices you’re letting shape you. He will answer. He’s not trying to trick us or leave us blind. James 1:5 says He gives wisdom generously to those who ask in faith.

And don’t just pray for yourself. Pray for your pastors and teachers, too. The good ones don’t want to be idolized. They want to be faithful. And they’re just as prone to temptation as anyone else. Pray that they would continue to point people to Christ, not to themselves.

The Christian life is one of constant realignment. Not because God moves but because we drift. And the more we soak ourselves in Scripture, the quicker we’ll notice when something feels off.

Be Thankful, Be Discerning, Be Rooted

I’m thankful for the faithful pastors and teachers God has used in my life. I really am. Some taught me to love doctrine. Others modeled humility. A few helped me walk through seasons I didn’t think I’d survive. 

But here’s what I’ve learned:

No one is above being tested by Scripture.

No voice should carry more weight than God’s Word.

No teacher should ever take the place of the One they teach about.

Be thankful for those who point you to Christ. Learn from them. Encourage them. Support them. But never confuse their faithfulness with infallibility.

Discernment isn’t cynicism. It’s love for the truth, for the Church, and for your own walk with the Lord. And staying rooted in the Word—reading it, studying it, sitting under sound preaching—is how you keep your gaze where it belongs.

So, if you’ve found yourself disillusioned, disoriented, maybe even defensive at times, I get it. I’ve been there. But don’t stay there.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Let every book, podcast, and sermon be a lens that helps you see Him more clearly and not a replacement for His voice.

And pray. Pray that your heart stays humble. That your admiration stays rightly ordered. That your faith stays fixed not on a person with a platform, but on the Savior who laid down His life for you.

He is worthy. Only Him.

Soli Deo Gloria!