Cut it Out: Fame

Thursday, July 13

An obsession with fame is no good. I hear the Lord saying cut it out. Fame is a poison that divides our hearts against itself. I see this in two ways: An obsession with famous people and an obsession with wanting to be famous. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep giving you more insight. For now, let’s look at these two streams of fame.

1.There is a way to honor people we admire and acknowledge someone’s work without being fanatical about it. Honoring others is a biblical principle. But when it comes to feeding our souls, Jesus says I am the bread of life, if anyone is hungry, let them come to me and eat (John 6:35). Being obsessed with people—their person, success, lifestyle, etc.—is eating the food offered to idols. It is not the bread of life.

2. The obsession with becoming famous, if we get to the root of it, has to do with the longing in us to be in relationship with God. We are created by God and for God. No thing on earth satisfies that longing. If we aren’t looking to him, we will either spend our entire lives trying any and everything to fulfill that desire or give into hopelessness. John writes to us about this. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world (1 John 2:16). We are created to be known and in fellowship with God and his body, the church. Wanting to be famous is a trap that will break us.

Obsession is never good. It picks the wrong treasure every time. And our hearts will follow the treasure(s) we pick. Be diligent to choose Jesus. He doesn’t fade. He doesn’t lie. He is perfect wisdom.

It’s worth adding that when this obsession remains unchecked, we bring it into church life. All of a sudden, what is designed as a body that works together in unity, each with its own part, now how segments that are celebrated as more important than others—people who get elevated as more significant than others. That’s not okay. Does the church have leaders? Of course. The need for leaders is not negated. But Are they more important than the rest of the body? No. If we are leading correctly, we are examples of humility and honor. Leaders aren’t meant for pedestals. Cut it out. We are not supposed to be worshiped. We are created to worship–to worship the only one found worthy—Jesus. Then, lead others to do the same.

Here are a few more red flags about these obsessions with fame.*

• Fame is almost always (if not always) associated with fortune — fame and fortune. Fortune deserves its own post, but for today, consider Paul’s words, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And Jesus warns us that we cannot serve two masters, specifically using money as an example. We will love one and hate the other (Matthew 7).

• Motive check: I’ve experienced that even the good motives—“think of all the good I can do…” almost always come back to a self-centered need. I recently heard it said that love for ourselves is Luciferian. That may seem too heavy but read the depictions of Lucifer’s fall. It’s gross with self, pride, and obsession. Don’t play with the devil.

• Some of the worst, most twisted counsel I’ve heard in the past year has come from celebrities/famous people. They may be talented and likable, or you may love to hate them, but that doesn’t guarantee their message is good or even helpful. To put it plainly, if a message isn’t leading us closer to Jesus and the kingdom of heaven, we have to dump it or, better yet, stay away from it.

• What is fame adding to our lives? Nothing. Our life is meaningful, significant without being famous and without obsessing over famous people what they said, what they’re wearing, what movie they’re in, or who they had dinner with.

• We become what we behold (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Our eyes are holy. Keep them on the Holy One.

I’m not trying to take all the fun out of life. I promise. I’m trying to invest in eternal things. Which is not only joyful, it is life-giving. This life, with all its celebrities and followers and money and emptiness, is fading.

I don’t know about you, but I’m before God asking the Holy Spirit to search my heart for other loves. As he reveals, I’m cutting it out and celebrating with Jesus because he can flow more freely (a picture of abiding) in my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

(*In a sermon from this past Sunday (July 17, 23), a minister shared a vision he had about two hooks floating in the water—fame and fortune. He specifically connected it with worship ministry. In short, fame and fortune is hook that will catch you up and out of what we’re intended for.)

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