Celebreties
Celebrities. Famous, rich, and all have the “it” factor. You love them. You hate them; there is no in between. We put them on a pedestal, and we say these are our idols. We even have a television show to find the next American Idol. This is what we are discussing today. Let us pray.
Father, our Holy God, we come before you with thanksgiving for all that you have given us, from Life to Life everlasting. We thank you for the freedoms we have to gather together in your name. We are currently discussing what may be Hidden Idols in our lives without even knowing it. Father, we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and the ability to receive your truth and revelations. In Jesus' name, we ask and pray, amen.
Addressing the concept of celebrity through a biblical lens involves looking at the distinction between admiration and worship. While the Bible doesn't mention "celebrities" in the modern sense, it speaks extensively about the human heart's tendency to elevate people above their proper place.
When we "idolize" a celebrity, be it hanging on to their every word, obsessing over their lifestyle, or letting their values dictate our own, we risk moving them into the space intended for the Creator. An idol is anything that takes the primary place of influence and devotion in our lives.
The Bible frequently warns against the "exaltation of man." It reminds us that every person, no matter how talented or famous, is finite and fallible.
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,” Acts 10:34It does not matter if you can sing. It does not matter if you can make a movie. Actually, that reminds me of an interaction I had back in the 90s. I was a Hotel Manager at the time, and I was filling in for the overnight Auditor one night. Around 2 am, I saw this Volvo station wagon pull up to the front doors. I pretended to be busy and did not even look up. “We are full. We are full.” I kept practicing because I was tired and not in the mood to deal with anyone.
A man walks up to the counter and extends his hand with a credit card in it. “Got a room?” I immediately recognized the voice. I was like, there is no way. I looked up to the smiling gentleman and saw it most certainly was. Donald Sutherland. A mega star in Movies, TV, and entertainment in general. Did I mention I was a huge fan?
If you do not know who Donald Sutherland is, look him up. I guarantee you, you have seen him. “Yes, sir, Mr. Sutherland, I have the suite available for you.” The next 40 minutes forever changed the way I saw fame.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Uh, yeah, I do. “No, no, sir, it’s totally fine.” “Stop it.” He extends his hand for a handshake. “Hello, I’m Donald. What’s your name?” “Uh, Peter. I’m sorry, sir, I'm a fan. I love your movies.” As we shook hands. “Yeah? I appreciate that. Which is your favorite?” Without much thought, I started naming them and talking about them with him as I checked him in. I gave him the key, and said “I am honored to meet you si,,,,” “Donald.” He said abruptly. “You know we are the same, right? I make movies. You work in a hotel. If you think about it. It’s your job to entertain me when I come through those doors, and it’s my job to entertain you at the movies. That does not make me special. Pretend to be someone I’m not for fun? I mean, it is a pretty good gig, but that’s it.”
He proceeded to stand there for 40 minutes just talking to me as if we were old friends. It now kind of reminds me of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:11-15: When the people of Lystra tried to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas because of their miracles, the apostles were horrified. They cried out, "Friends, why are you doing this? We, too, are only human, like you."
Look at Psalm 146:3,
"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation."Celebrities are subject to the same struggles and moral complexities as anyone else. Elevating them to "idol" status puts a burden on them that no human is designed to carry, as Donald pointed out to me.
A biblical perspective views talent not as a reason for self-glory, but as a gift from God. If we focus too much on the celebrity, we are essentially "worshiping the creature rather than the Creator" Romans 1:25.
You can enjoy a performance or appreciate an artist’s skill, but the Bible encourages us to redirect that gratitude toward the source of that skill. That would, of course, be God.
Idolizing celebrities often leads to imitation. The Bible warns us to be careful about who we allow to "form" us.
We are no longer of this world. Why would we want to imitate someone who does NOT have God? Seriously, think about this. Why would we want to dress like, act like, even live like, a lost soul?“Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flows the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2If a celebrity's lifestyle or worldview becomes the primary "pattern" we follow, it can pull us away from the values and character described in scripture.
It's okay to appreciate someone’s talent, but the Bible reminds us that everyone is human and prone to mistakes. By keeping our highest devotion for God, we avoid the disappointment that comes when we realize our 'idols' are just people, and we stay free to be ourselves rather than just copies of someone famous.
Look at this warning in James.
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”Hold on for a moment. I have another story to share. I used to attend a church that treated everyone equally, without showing any favoritism. When we started looking for a new church, we found ourselves at a "Mega Church." As we walked in, we were greeted warmly enough, and they explained the church's procedures to us. When we entered the Sanctuary, we went to sit in a specific section, but we were stopped and told, “Sorry, those seats are reserved for our more, uh, famous guests.” At that point, we were ready to leave.
So, don’t assume that this couldn’t be happening in today’s church.
“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?”Stop there. Remember what Jesus said?
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24When the time comes, all that fortune and fame mean nothing. All that wealth means nothing. It is all rubbish. It will all belong to someone else.
Back to James 2
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are sinning and are convicted by the law as transgressors.No picking and choosing what to believe, what to accept, and what to ignore. It really is all or nothing.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”
"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:1-13Remember, Jesus also said this.
“And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Matthew 12:7Also here.
“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13Jesus did not care who you were or what you had. His message is the same. Have no other God before God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Share the Gospel, preach repentance, and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The more money you have, the more comfort you have, the less likely you will be to rely on God. Did you know that comfort and pleasure can become idols in your life if you are not careful? This is what we will be talking about next time.
Remember, you can always find this, and so much more, in the archives, over at TAG
The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com
May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you, always.
Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!
