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Are believers in Christ little gods?

Are believers in Christ little gods?
Redemption Theology

TL;DR:

The Bible does not teach that believers are little gods but image-bearers called to reflect God’s character, not share His divinity. Claiming to be divine repeats the serpent’s ancient lie and shifts worship from God to self.

what does the bible say?

The Bible clearly teaches that believers in Christ are not little gods, but image-bearers created to reflect God’s character, not share His divinity. Psalm 82:6, often used wrongly and out of context to say that Christians are little gods, does not refer to humans becoming divine beings. Both the Old and New Testaments affirm that there is only one true God who is eternal, all-powerful, and alone worthy of worship. The idea that Christians are little gods, promoted by Mormons and some in the Word of Faith movement, twists Scripture and echoes the serpent’s original lie to Eve that humanity could be like God. True faith calls us not to exalt ourselves but to humbly honor and represent the one sovereign Lord.

from the old testament

  • Those who promote the false teaching that believers are little gods use as their primary proof text a passage in Psalms which reads, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you" (Psalm 82:6). Such an interpretation of Psalm 82:6 is a classic example of taking Scripture out of context. This passage addresses the judges of Israel in the Old Testament. Psalm 82:6 does not say "you are gods" because the judges were divine but because they represent God when they issue judgment and exercise civic power. Psalm 82:6 is a warning to the "gods" of this world that they are still under the true God's authority.
  • Isaiah makes it clear that God is the only true and living God, that there are no "gods," little or otherwise, except Him: "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me" (Isaiah 43:10).
  • God says there is no god besides Him: "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god'" (Isaiah 44:6).

from the new testament

  • Those who erroneously promote the false teaching that believers are little gods further claim that Jesus affirmed that we are little gods when He quoted this passage in John 10:34. Then they take Hebrews 1:3 (Jesus is "an exact representation" (NIV) of God's being) and John 14:12 ("whoever believes in [Jesus]" will do what Jesus did) to say that believers today can do everything God can do, and more!
  • The apostle Paul affirms the truth that God is supreme: "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).
  • As believers we reflect God's image through our love for one another and our faithful obedience to His will (John 14:15; 1 John 3:24). Only God is divine. Man is not divine and never will be. Only God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Only God can create with words. Only God can save.

implications for today

The teaching that believers in Christ are little gods, is patently unscriptural. It is an erroneous interpretation of the Scriptures promulgated by a number of high-profile pastors and teachers of the Word of Faith movement as well as Mormons. These would include Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Paul and Jan Crouch, Fred Price, and Joyce Meyer. Aside from teaching that believers are little gods, those of the Word of Faith movement also advocate the "prosperity gospel," which is also unbiblical.

Believers are not little gods despite what the Word of Faith teachers proclaim. Supporters of the little gods idea twist the Scriptures and contradict what the Bible actually teaches. They should be reminded of what the psalmist says of those called "gods": "like men you shall die, and fall like any prince" (Psalm 82:7). In other words, the Bible affirms the humanity of so-called "gods" in this world.

By declaring ourselves to be little gods, we attempt to make ourselves equal to Him. Without question, this is the very height of arrogance and is nothing more than self-worship and self-glorification. There is nothing new under the sun. The lie that we are little gods is the same lie the serpent told Eve in the Garden: "you will be like God" (Genesis 3:5).

understand

  • Psalm 82:6 refers to human judges representing God’s authority, not humans being divine.
  • Only God is truly God; believers reflect His image, not His divinity.
  • The little gods doctrine distorts Scripture and promotes self-exaltation rather than worship of the one true God.

reflect

  • How do you reflect God’s character in your life without trying to take on His divine authority or power?
  • How might pride or self-focus tempt you to act as though you are in control rather than submitting to God’s sovereignty?
  • How does recognizing that you are made in God’s image—rather than being divine yourself—shape your worship and humility before Him?

engage

  • How does understanding Psalm 82:6 in its context help us avoid false teachings about believers being little gods?
  • What are some ways people wrongly blur the line between being made in God’s image and claiming to be divine?
  • How can believers emphasize God’s uniqueness and glory in their worship and teaching?

More Resources

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Humanity What does it mean that humanity is created in the image of God?

What does it mean that humanity is created in the image of God?

Humanity is created in the image of God, meaning we resemble and reflect God. This compels us to treat every person with dignity, and to take seriously the way we reflect God to the world.
Spiritual Realm Do humans become angels after death?

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The belief that humans become angels when they die does not come from Scripture, but rather, from popular culture, misinterpretations, or non-Christian traditions. No, humans do not become angels after death.
Theology What is sanctification?

What is sanctification?

To be sanctified means to be “set apart for a specific purpose or use.” Our sanctification is the process by which our salvation transforms us into Christ’s likeness so we can better reflect Him.