Worship belongs to God, but what does it look like when people worship other people? In many cultures of the past, the leader was considered a god. People would come and bow down and declare their loyalty. The leader’s directions and words were without question. They demanded loyalty.

Worship in the bible, depending on the word used, can mean service, adoration, respect, reverence, bowing, praising, and acknowledgment of majesty. Romans 12:1-2 literally defines worship as a living sacrifice, fully obedient. Worship is the giving of our entire self, our thoughts and our emotions, to God’s use. All of life is an act of submission, an act of worship. Worship is also described in the Old Testament as todah, which is taken from another Hebrew word, yadah. Todah literally means “thanksgiving.” It is also used to describe a thank offering or an act of adoration. Our word worship derives from the Old English weordhscipe meaning worthiness or meritoriousness praise.

Today’s leaders demanding worship, and maybe at first even the future final human leader, are a little more subtle. Take note of leaders who demand loyalty and praise, regardless of the religious beliefs and principles of followers, and punish followers who don’t obey. History has shown them to be bad, dangerous leaders, who often won’t stop in their striving for more power and worship if they gain complete control over a country, territory, or people.

What might this look like for a modern leader:

• Loyalty test towards the leader to select those in positions of power as the sole discriminator, regardless of qualifications, ability, and character
• Followers who stand up against specific wants of the leader or even question the leader due to conscience, integrity, morals, ethics, or beliefs, are summarily dismissed, discredited, slandered, threatened with future vengeful consequences, or otherwise overly punished
• Punishes followers who do not take action or serve the leader’s wishes for any reason
• Demands loyalty explicitly and praises it when received
• Rewards those who show the most loyalty, creating competition
• Takes adoration of those who “sing their praises”
• Is extremely controlling of followers – what they say and what they do. Demands it and punishes non-obedience
• Encourages comparisons to other similar leaders and strongmen. Does not rebuke, humbly correct, or deny comparisons to Christ and being a Savior
• Physically puts himself higher than everyone else and often tilts his head so he looks down at others (the opposite of bowing)
• Extreme pride
• Extremely concerned about their personal brand of power and anything that may reduce their appearance of greatness or glory. Extreme reactions to any damage.
• Only the leader can “save” us, put your faith in him

Worshiping anything other than God, is a form of idolatry. Don’t hear me too harshly. We all have various levels and forms of idolatry in our lives. We’re human. But watch out for leaders that demand it from the people.

Be wise, pray, and use discernment.

Addendum

From the dictionary: 1 : to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power. 2 : to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion a celebrity worshipped by her fans.  

“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go.  “