12 Reasons Why You Need to Reject Celebrity Worship
Who do you worship?
You know, this is my place to ask questions, to wonder…
And today, I’m wondering about celebrity worship. Not the “syndrome” that affects some but the fascination that influences so many.
Admiring people for their abilities and accomplishments isn’t a bad thing when it motivates and inspires us to do and be our best.
But…
When you and I glorify and model some media version of who they are, well . . . we have a problem.
There are dozens of celebrity gossip magazines, television shows, and online destinations. People want to know what the rich and famous wear, how they dress, what they believe, and where they live.
And I wonder why?
At what point do you and I give the rich and famous too much influence in our lives?
And at what point is celebrity worship harmful to society?
The following conversation took place during place as Satan tempted Jesus…
Then the devil took Him [Jesus] up and revealed to Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’” Luke 4:5–8
So…
12 Reasons Why You Need to Reject Celebrity Worship
Plus questions I want to ask myself…
1. It counterfeits our idea of beauty.
Do I compare my appearance and the people around me to the air-brushed images of celebrities I admire?
It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you—the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is very precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3–4
2. It leads to coveting what you think you’re missing.
Do I buy things I don’t need simply because they are endorsed by my favorite celebrity?
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4
3. It glorifies wealth and materialism.
Do I neglect my time with God and/or my family to make more money and have more stuff? Do I favor people who dress and live more comfortably over those who don’t?
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10
4. It contributes to personal dissatisfaction.
Do I feel like my appearance, wardrobe, home, car, and position are lacking when I watch television, read magazines, and scroll through social media?
So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24
4. It perverts our thoughts about God’s commands and Godly values.
Have I adjusted my beliefs about God’s will because celebrities and my friends say they are outdated and no longer applicable?
When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. Ecclesiastes 12:13
5. It gives significance to celebrity opinions without knowledge of their character.
Am I influenced by the political and religious views of people I see on a screen or read about rather than praying and asking God to reveal His truth and will to me?
Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2
6. It inspires an obsession for fame and fortune.
Do I neglect the eternal for the temporary?
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 1 John 2:15–16
7. It endorses the desire to be served and not to serve.
Do I admire and aspire to live a pampered and indulged lifestyle?
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10
8. It becomes an extreme waste of time.
How much time do I spend watching television, scrolling through social media, reading celebrity and lifestyle magazines, and talking about all the above?
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4
9. It promotes personal comparisons and leads to criticism.
Do I compare myself and my children to friends and neighbors? Do I play fashion police and publicly or privately criticize those who don’t conform to current trends?
We do not compare ourselves with those who think they are good. They compare themselves with themselves. They decide what they think is good or bad and compare themselves with those ideas. They are foolish. 2 Corinthians 10:12
11. It distorts our views about our personal talents and abilities.
Do I complain and question why God made me this way? Do I give up rather than trying to be the best version of me for God’s glory?
You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother’s body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. Psalm 139:13–14
12. It interferes with pure Godly worship.
Have I ignored God’s truth and believed the age-old lie that He is holding out on me . . . that He is not enough? Who or what am I really worshipping?
You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you. Exodus 34:14
Oh Friends, when I started writing this I didn’t think I had a problem with celebrity worship because I don’t have anyone I follow, model, or celebrate. But some of those questions really convicted me.
I realize I’m guilty! I’ve placed too much value on what’s unimportant . . . things like appearance and stuff. I’m influenced by the culture in which we live. Just like you are.
But it’s not too late.
I can limit celebrity worship and influence, I can…
Ask – Pray and ask God to forgive me for worshipping anything or anyone besides Him and ask Him to help and guide me going forward.
Seek – Turn to His Word for truth and compare every through, opinion, or word of advice against His promise that lasts forever.
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8
Do – Obediently follow His will as He reveals it to me . . . even when it doesn’t trend with culture.
Will you pray with me?
Father, forgive me. Help me worship You alone. Help me follow You alone. Help me know Your truth and obey Your will as You reveal it to me even when it goes against what the rich and powerful think or what society promotes. I need Your help to keep my eyes on things eternal when the temporary shouts so loud. I need You, Lord. Amen.
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Such great points, Deb. All on target. You know, as I read this, I thought not so much of Hollywood celebrities, but authors–Christians who have hit a home run with their books. People that I might “worship” in the same way as you spoke of here. I think we can use apply this teaching to our worship of anyone in a position of celebrity status. Humbling post.
Thanks, Mary! I completely agree. I believe the idolizing of Christian authors can be a real problem. Especially if we let it get in the way of allowing the Holy Spirit to work through God’s Word and just take on faith everything said by a particular teacher simply because they are popular or we appreciated one of their books. Blessings to you!!
I saw this and it caught my attention so I just had to read! Great post by the way. So many great points. I will for sure be sharing this post on my personal Facebook page because I have some friends that will enjoy this post.
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement, Valerie! I have to admit I was surprised by the realization that this was an issue for me too. God knew I needed this one when I started writing. Blessings to you!
I have a family member who watches E! all the time and obsesses over it. I never have understood that. Maybe I’ll send this article to them!!
I think there are many fascinated with celebrities. Gossip carries over from the rich and famous to the people around us. Ooh it’s a struggle, isn’t it? Thanks so much, Lauren!
This is great. I used to be consumed in all things reality TV. I halve found much more peace and contentment as I have distanced myself from the big houses and rich husbands and unlimited shopping budgets. What great insights your have offered here.
It’s amazing how just walking away from those distractions can bless us in ways that God promised. His grace overwhelms me. God bless you!
I too was convicted and I thank God for His faithfulness, what an Awesome God we serve, Glory Hallelujah!
Amen, Sheila. That He loves us soooo much! Glory!
Sounds like idol worship to me!
It is Kelly. Just another form of the age old problem. Blessings to you!
Hi Deb – Such wisdom here. I like how you point out that simply watching or evening listening to people, famous or not, is not a true indication of their character. I went through a season at our church – a megachurch – where I felt like I had begun to idolize those in ministry. But people make very poor idols and they inevitably fall. No person is made to be worshiped and it simply steals our true worship of God. Thank you for sharing your insight today. So glad to be your neighbor at #testimonytuesday.
Tiffany, thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to say “hello.” Don’t you love when the Holy Spirit wakes us up to distortions we’ve come to believe? My prayer is to stay sensitive to His leading and keep my worship for the Lord. God bless you!
So relevant to our culture today. It’s easy to get caught up in following (worshiping) someone else, even in the Christian community! I’ve seen people follow various spiritual leaders in an unhealthy way. What started out as a good thing ended up getting distorted. I loved your points!
I agree, Julie! We have to be careful even when it comes to preachers, worship leaders, writers, etc. Always praying to keep my heart and mind focused on the truth! Blessings my friend!
Great topic, Deb. I was just listening to a podcast by Desiring God that was on a similar topic and I learned that Christian celebrities have been with us since colonial times. George Whitefield actually had some of the same challenges that our current crop of celebrities deal with (and apparently he handled them fairly well). I guess my takeaway has been that whatever measure of success God gives, our best strategy is to make of it an offering to Him.
What a perfect way to look at it! We have all kinds of celebrities around us, don’t we? Entertainers, athletes, authors, politicians, and the list goes on and on. Praying the Lord will help me keep my focus on what’s important and lasting. By grace alone… Blessings and hugs!
I realize I am guilty too Deb! Great truth here! Thank you for pulling the veil back so we can see what we do or are capable of doing! My heart has been turned to this subject the past few weeks because so many will defend a man or woman over the word of God! Again, thanks for sharing what God laid on your heart! God Bless!
Thank you, Lisa! Our culture is so saturated I think it’s hard to stay focused on the truth. And yes, the personalities and comments about them this election season have been challenging. Praying for God to continue to work in and through His Word and His people. Blessings to you!
Great points that have me thinking! It’s an area I struggle with concerns for my boys. They are athletes and follow all the ESPN stories and updates nonstop. I hear story after story of this athlete or that. I keep praying their hearts always stay in worship of God and God alone!
Blessings, my friend!
Lori
Such truth in your words and great points Deb! I am saddened when I see people putting not just Hollywood celebrities, but pastors, authors and the like in a position to ‘worship’ them..that is when comparison and jealousy enter in….I am your neighbor today at #ImpartingGrace
oops neighbors at Lyli’s #ThoughtProvokingThursday .. sorry, it’s been a long day
These are great reasons, Deb. We don’t allow much tv and movie watching in our home so there are celebrities and scandals we don’t know. But this can also be geared towards religious leaders and putting them on a pedestal. Thanks for sharing these with Thankful Thursdays.
Great Read with so much truth! When we place more value on a person rather than our relationship with God we have to know it isn’t going to end well. we shouldn’t think we can ask God to settle for sloppy seconds! Thanks for your Godly insight!
So true! Americans are obsessed with their celebrities. Not to mention that evil has a slick way of showing up on screen and it can be sure subtle. Great topic, great post.