Is it true that we can become gods (Psalm 82:6; John 10:34-36)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that there is only one God (Isaiah 44:6; 45:5) and that there will only ever be one God (Isaiah 43:10). Scripture gives no room for another God to exist now or in the future. While it is true that we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), that refers to how our character is to be (Ephesians 4:24; James 3:9), not to the idea that we were created on a path that leads to divinity. One passage that some misunderstand on this point is Psalm 82:6 (cf. John 10:34–36) because it refers to humans as “gods.” However, the term “god” is used figuratively to refer to leaders who represent God’s authority. Another often confused passage is 2 Peter 1:4, which teaches that believers are “partakers of the divine nature.” However, this refers to believers sharing in God’s nature as we are morally perfected, becoming more like Christ (cf. Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Believers are to be of the same moral character as God, having now escaped sin’s corruption that has marred all God’s image bearers. Any teaching that claims humans are, can be, or will be gods is anti-biblical and must be discarded as false. God will not share His glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8), including His image-bearers.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Bible teaches that there is only one God. God said, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god” (Isaiah 44:6). Again, He reminded the Israelites, “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5a). God will not share His glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8).
• Not only that, but God said, “You are my witnesses … and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me” (Isaiah 43:10). That explicitly closes the possibility of humans being deified.
• Human beings were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27). However, that refers to how we are to represent Him as rulers of creation (being of His character), including how we relate to others. It doesn't imply that we will one day be gods.
• A passage that confuses many on this issue is Psalm 82:6, where God says, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you.” However, that passage uses “gods” figuratively to refer to unjust rulers (Psalm 82:1) who “walk around in darkness” (Psalm 82:5). They are like "gods," being above the rest of mankind. Despite their seemingly exalted position, God tells them, “nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince” (Psalm 82:7). God is mocking Earth’s wicked judges, showing that they are nothing in the final scheme of things.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In John 10:34–36, Jesus quotes from Psalm 82:6 to rebut the Pharisees who were accusing Him of blasphemy. He was effectively saying, “If God can call your leaders ‘gods,’ since he sent them the law, then surely it’s acceptable for one sent by God to call Himself God.” Jesus wasn't saying He was “God” only by a technicality but was showing the Pharisees the logical weakness of their argument against Him.
• Believers have been freed from the power of sin (Romans 6:6–7) so they can live like Christ. Therefore, when the New Testament speaks about becoming like Christ, it doesn't mean in His divine nature but in being more like His perfect human nature. Believers are being renewed (Colossians 3:10), conformed (Romans 8:29), and transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18) into His image.
• Second Peter 1:3–4, another verse that causes confusion concerning human deification, has a similar meaning: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” The core idea is that, through Christ, believers “may become partakers of the divine nature” in the sense that they are now able to live morally upright like God.
• Human beings cannot become gods. However, believers are to become like God in the sense of being made in His image (James 3:9) and now freed to “put on the new self” by being “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Greek mythology gives us a glimpse of what life would look like if human beings had the power of "gods." The gods the Greeks created were moody, immoral hotheads who caused havoc on Earth. Sound familiar? Even though each of us has only seventy or eighty years on Earth, consider all the damage we do. Thank God that we don't have the power of gods!

In fact, God in His wisdom took Adam and Eve out of Eden so they wouldn't access the tree of life and live forever. Had He allowed it, we would have been forever in our current, sinful state but with the power to cause even more evil. The order and magnitude of misery would have been staggering!

Fortunately, God has not given us a path to become gods. But He has given us a way to be with Him eternally. Everyone will die; that’s part of our punishment for sin (Romans 6:23a). However, death is not our end. God will resurrect everyone. Believers will be with God eternally in joy (Revelation 21:3–4). Unbelievers, however, will be eternally under God’s wrath (Revelation 20:15).

Our eternal relationship depends on what we do now with His Son, Jesus. Jesus came to live like us but without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He then died, bearing God’s wrath against sin (1 Peter 2:24). For all who repent of their sin and trust in Him, He has promised to give eternal life in God's glorious presence where there will be no more sorrow, shame, guilt, or suffering. We will never be a god, but we will ultimately live forever, either saved by Jesus or condemned for our rebellion. Because of that, think carefully now about which eternity is in front of you.

UNDERSTAND

• God alone is eternally God; no other gods exist or will ever come into existence.
• Humans were created in God’s image in the sense of reflecting His character and representing Him in creation, not in the ability to become divine.
• When the Bible speaks about believers sharing in God’s nature, it refers to moral transformation and becoming like Christ in that way, not in divinity.

REFLECT

• How does understanding the difference between being made in God’s image and being God Himself affect the way you view your identity and purpose?
• How does it impact you that God transforms believers to reflect His character?
• How might remembering that God alone is God deepen your humility and worship of Him?

ENGAGE

• How do passages such as Psalm 82 and 2 Peter 1:4 help clarify what Scripture does and does not mean about humans sharing in God’s nature?
• How can we respond to religious movements or philosophies that teach that humans can become gods?
• How does the Bible’s teaching about being renewed into Christ’s image help us understand the real goal of salvation and sanctification?