Why Suicide Is Not the OptionSample

Apotheosis

Apotheosis is when man takes the place of God either by placing himself in God’s position or is being placed by others in God's position. God does not share His glory with anyone or anything, so in that context, this is similar to idolatry. God hates idolatry, so it is no wonder that apotheosis also is the target of God's wrath. Paul talks about the terrifying result of man's idolatry in Romans 1:16-32. In Acts 12:22-23 when the people looked at Herod and said this is the voice of God and Herod did not give praise to God, worms consumed the man in full view of the assembly. In the book of Daniel (Daniel 4:29-33), when Nebuchadnezzar looked at his achievements and thought for a fleeting moment that he achieved all this on his own, he turned into an animal and ate grass. But when people in Lystra (Acts 14:11-15) tried to treat Paul and Peter like gods, they tore their clothes and confessed that they are mere men, like the rest of us.

Ahitophel's advice was well thought out and near perfect. The kings under whom he served, thought extremely well of his advice, so much so that they thought his advice was like that of God (2 Samuel 16:23).

However flattering it may be, when men treat us like gods, it does more harm than good. We as believers in the God who created heaven and earth, are to be even more careful with the praise of men and always be on our guard. The worst thing that can happen to a person in this situation is when he/she starts believing it. That is sure to give rise to a disappointing disillusionment.

Pride comes before a fall, and higher one rises in pride, harder the fall. Even more subtle and sinister thing about this is that it is someone else who raises us up to those dizzy heights and then drops us like hot potatoes when we're no longer of any use to them. It is such people that we need to watch out for, for our own good.

Questions to ask myself

1.Is someone too close to me - either apparently or actually, always flattering me or praising me in front of others?

2.Am I thinking of myself as someone very perfect or great, either because of my own thoughts or because someone is making me feel so?

3.Are my thoughts about myself hindering me from giving glory that is due to God?

Things to remember

1.I need to always remind myself of the hollowness or short life of these praises and that it is in my own interest that I do not give great credibility to such words.

2.I need to remind myself to be humble at all times, and not think of myself better than others and certainly not before God.

3.I should never forget that God is absolute and perfect. In fact, the more I think less of myself, deeper my experience of God's glory.