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Writer's pictureMichelle Hayman

The Elevation of Man Over God

Updated: 6 days ago


When we hear the word "idolatry," it’s easy to picture ancient people bowing before golden statues or carving images of gods from stone. But idolatry isn’t just something from the history books—it’s alive and well today, even if it looks a little different. Whether it’s chasing wealth, obsessing over celebrities, religious figures or putting traditions above God’s Word, idolatry takes many forms and often sneaks into our lives without us even realizing it.


In today’s post, we’re diving into what idolatry really means, why it’s such a big deal in the Bible, and how it still applies to us today. We’ll also look at some surprising ways idolatry can creep into our faith, even when we think we’re doing everything right. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about statues—it’s about anything that takes God’s rightful place in our hearts. Let’s explore what Scripture says about keeping our worship focused on the Creator, not the created.


Idolatry is generally defined as the worship or excessive veneration of anything or anyone other than God. It involves placing something or someone in a position of ultimate importance, devotion, or reverence that rightfully belongs to God alone. This can take many forms, from literal worship of statues or images to more abstract forms like prioritizing material possessions, relationships, or ideologies above God.


We often hear the familiar claim from Catholics that they are not "worshipping" Mary but simply venerating her. In the General Roman Calendar, there are at least 17 Marian feast days officially recognized throughout the liturgical year. However, when considering local traditions, additional regional feasts, and celebrations by specific religious orders, the total number of Marian observances can exceed 40 or more annually, depending on the region or community.


Yet, if we focus specifically on feast days dedicated solely to Jesus Christ in the General Roman Calendar, there are approximately 14 key feasts centered on His life, ministry, and divine nature.


Still not convinced that Catholics practice idolatry?


The veneration of the pope within the Roman Catholic Church often crosses the line into idolatry, where a mere mortal is treated with a reverence and devotion that Scripture reserves for God alone. While the pope is ostensibly recognized as the leader of the Church on Earth, many of the practices surrounding him—both in life and death—go far beyond respect for his role, elevating him to a quasi-divine status that contradicts biblical teaching.


Catholics are encouraged to address the pope as "Holy Father," a title that directly contradicts Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:9, where He commands, “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” This title not only exalts the pope above other humans but also implies a holiness that no mere mortal can possess. Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 64:6, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,” and in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

To ascribe such titles of holiness and fatherhood to a man is to elevate him far beyond his human nature.


Practices such as kissing the pope’s ring, kneeling or bowing before him, and using ornate symbols like the papal throne and triple tiara contribute to an atmosphere of excessive reverence. These actions resemble the worship of royalty or even divinity, rather than the respect due to another member of another organised religious denomination. Such displays stand in stark contrast to the humility of Christ, who washed the feet of His disciples and rejected earthly grandeur.



The pope is often surrounded by crowds who treat his presence as though it is a divine encounter, accumulating around him like fans or groupies. This behavior creates a cult of personality that detracts from the worship of God. The devotion shown to him often elevates his words and actions to a level of unquestioned authority, even though he is a fallible human. The doctrine of papal infallibility, though limited to specific conditions, exacerbates this issue by reinforcing the idea that the pope’s words can carry the weight of divine truth.


The veneration of the pope does not end with his life; it is amplified in death. Papal funerals are grand, elaborate ceremonies that almost deify the deceased. The pope’s body is often displayed in a public setting for people to venerate, with mourners kneeling, praying, and showing reverence as though in the presence of God himself. The entire event elevates the pope to a status that suggests he was more than human, creating an image of near-perfection that conflicts with the biblical reality that “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).



The Bible is unequivocal in its warnings against elevating humans to positions of divine reverence. In Acts 10:25-26, when Cornelius bowed before Peter, Peter immediately rebuked him, saying, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” Peter, who is considered the first pope by the RCC, understood that no human, regardless of their role, is worthy of such veneration. This humility is absent in many of the practices surrounding the modern papacy.


The excessive focus on the pope, his words, and his image diverts attention from Christ, the true head of the Church. In Colossians 1:18, it says, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” No human leader, no matter how exalted, should take precedence over Christ.


The fundamental issue with the veneration of the pope is the belief that he can be considered "holy." All humans are sinners, and no office, title, or ritual can change this reality. To treat the pope as holy, or to show him the level of reverence that belongs to God alone, is a direct contradiction to Scripture and an act of idolatry.


The veneration of the pope within the Roman Catholic Church reflects an idolatrous elevation of a mere mortal. From the kissing of his ring and grandiose funerals to the groupie-like adoration surrounding him, these practices go far beyond respect for a religious leader. They place the pope in a position that Scripture reserves for Christ alone. As believers, we must remember that all humans are sinners, and true worship belongs only to God. To engage in such excessive reverence for any human being is to participate in a form of idolatry that detracts from the glory of God.



So are all Catholics idolaters?

Do they give excessive veneration to Mary and the pope?


Then the answer is undoubtedly yes.


Ignorance is no excuse for idolatry. The Bible explicitly warns against idolatry in countless passages, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Just because Catholics—or anyone else—fail to see the harm in what they are doing does not mean it isn’t idolatry. Simply perceiving something as "veneration" rather than worship doesn’t change its nature. Idolatry is far deeper and far more insidious than a surface-level act. It is evil at its core, just like the “man of sin” who “sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” 2 Thessalonians 2:4.


Idolatry begins in the heart. It is not always about bowing before a statue or object—it’s about where our love, devotion, and desires are directed. Today, we see the world consumed by self-worship and the works of the flesh. People are obsessed with their appearance, their fame, their possessions: “What will I wear?” “How can I get more likes or followers on TikTok?” This obsession is idolatry in its purest form—placing oneself, or the material world, above God. The Bible warns us about this in 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”




I understand this all too well because I used to live that life. I was consumed by the superficial—driving a Mercedes convertible, keeping up with a fake tan, fake nails, padded bras, and chasing after things that made me feel validated. But none of it filled the void. None of it gave me peace. When I was on my deathbed, broken by witchcraft, I heard a voice say, “The truth will set you free.” That was the turning point. Through prayer, fasting, and surrendering every false idol in my life, God’s Spirit came upon me like fire. It was a transformative moment, not just in my body but in my soul.


Now, I no longer crave the things of this world. I crave righteousness. I crave to glorify God. And for anyone who doubts that transformation is possible or believes we can continue to sin after receiving God’s Spirit, I must tell you, “Sin shall not have dominion over you” Romans 6:14. God’s Spirit breaks those chains, and I am living proof of that.


Idolatry, whether it’s worshiping a figure in a church, chasing material wealth, or idolizing oneself, is the broad road that leads to destruction, as Jesus warned us. True freedom comes from rejecting these false gods and surrendering fully to the one true God. It’s not an easy path, but it is the only one that leads to life and peace. I know this because I have walked both paths, and only one set me free.


Knowing the transformation God’s Spirit had on me—yes, I truly saw it and felt it—I can confidently say that no priest who abuses a child, commits sodomy, or engages in any act rooted in lust of the flesh could possibly be filled with the Holy Spirit. Such acts are not love but pure lust and filth, driven by the basest desires. Love does not cause pain; it is selfless and pure. These actions reveal a spirit far removed from Christ, and there are only two spirits in this world: the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of the antichrist.


No priest, clergy, or pope obsessed with wealth and power can carry the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit make that clear. When someone is truly filled with the Holy Spirit, they desire righteousness, humility, and love—not power, greed, or self-indulgence. The Bible reminds us, “By their fruits ye shall know them” Matthew 7:20, and the condition of the heart reveals all we need to know about ourselves and others.


It’s not easy to try to reach people with the truth because so many are blinded by the corrupt world ruled by Satan. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying. Just last night, someone I was speaking to said, “Why would you care what Catholics do?” My answer is simple: how could I claim to follow Christ and not care? How could I call myself redeemed and yet stay silent when people are on the broad path to destruction? To hold back the truth out of fear of offending someone would make me complicit. This isn’t about me or my feelings. This is about all of you. It’s about bringing the truth into the light and showing the way to the narrow path that leads to life. Even if it’s difficult, I refuse to stop caring.

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