Is God a megalomaniac?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Megalomania is a sinful condition—though potentially sometimes brought on by actual brain damage—in which an individual greatly exaggerates his or her importance. Calling God a megalomaniac is to challenge His character. However, even a cursory review of Scripture shows that God is kind (Titus 3:4-5a), humble in His incarnate state (Philippians 2:8), patient (2 Peter 3:9), and other-focused (Romans 5:8). None of those characteristics align with megalomania.

Because God never lies (Titus 1:2), when He says that He is all-powerful (Luke 1:37), all-knowing (Psalm 147:5), and omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-8), we can take Him at His word. Indeed, those characteristics are perfectly in line with His nature as God.

Those who call His character into question generally do so to provide themselves with an excuse to not obey Him (Romans 1:18-23). However, because God is who He says He is, that is a fool’s errand that ends with being on the receiving end of His eternal, judging wrath.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When describing Himself, God said, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). That hardly describes the ego of a megalomaniac.
• Speaking to Israel, wishing that they would repent, God said, “‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11). A megalomaniac doesn’t express care for others, yet God desired the well-being of His people.
• He also wants His people to emulate His character. Once again, notice He doesn’t suggest we live arrogantly, but humbly. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
• God’s standard for us is high because He is our standard—it’s not the wishful thinking standard that a megalomaniac would inflict. “For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face” (Psalm 11:7).
• God’s greatness is true, not an exaggeration. For example, Jeremiah exclaimed, “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jeremiah 32:17). The one who created everything out of nothing is far greater than we even realize.
• Some people say that God is a megalomaniac because He makes demands on them that they don’t like. But God is who He says He is, so He has the authority to make such claims. He demands that we be perfect (Deuteronomy 18:13), and He can do that because He has the authority to judge us for our rebellion (Psalm 75:7). That’s not acting like a megalomaniac. That is God being God.
• As sinful human beings, we often cannot fully grasp God’s holiness. Isaiah experienced the difference between himself, a flawed human being, and the holy, almighty God. Upon seeing a vision of God, Isaiah exclaims, “. . . Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• From the gospels we learn that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17). The Father so loved the world (not Himself) that He sent His Son to die for sinful humanity.
• Paul describes Jesus’ humility in becoming a man. He tells believers at Philippi to, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). He advises them to emulate the humility of Jesus, who “Although He existed in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus is God and highly exalted, yetHe humbled Himself for humankind.
• Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15a). He said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9b). So, Jesus’ humility is the humility of God. Far from being a megalomaniac, Jesus was the humblest man on earth who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28b). The Father sent Jesus to serve mankind. This is the complete opposite of a megalomaniac’s self-serving promotion.
• Paul refers to those who reject God because of their own sin as “men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18b). Because of their desire for sin, they disparage and deny God’s true nature, including claiming that He is a megalomaniac.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

On the “day of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 5:2), Jesus will return, and all rebellion will be squelched. Those who are alive today and under that coming wrath are looking for any way to pretend that they will not be held accountable. However, all of creation screams that God demands justice (Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1-6).

Because God is merciful and humble, He has given us the Bible. In it, He has detailed not just His wrath, but the one way to escape it. That is through His Son. His Son did not need to die because only sinners die (Romans 6:23a). However, God’s will was to kill Him to offer us life (Isaiah 53:10a). Despite coming to die, Jesus lived humbly, submitted to the Father’s will. In so doing, He was the perfect example of humility (Philippians 2:8). His humility and kindness compel us to repent of our rebellion (Romans 2:4). All who believe in Jesus as Savior, will be saved when God’s wrath comes (Romans 5:9).

Trying to find flaws in God by calling him names like megalomaniac is dishonest and does nothing to stop His wrath from coming. He is our Creator (Genesis 1) and has complete authority. Rather than see Him as evil and self-centered, praise Him for being humble towards humankind, giving us ample time to be saved.

UNDERSTAND

• Megalomania is a sinful condition.
• God is sinless, so He cannot be a megalomaniac.
• God’s greatness cannot possibly be exaggerated; indeed, His greatness is often so immense that human beings cannot grasp it.

REFLECT

• What are some of God’s qualities that you’ve directly experienced?
• How does Jesus’ humility in lowering Himself to live as a man and serve others affect your walk with Him?
• How has awareness of your own sin affected your view of God?

ENGAGE

• How do you respond when others present a dishonest or inaccurate description of God?
• How can you best communicate God’s true nature to people who don’t know Him?
• What characteristics of God can be highlighted to those who claim He is a megalomaniac?