Today there are many wrong teachings that seem to exalt ministers more than the Lord Jesus Christ. Such teachings popularize a minister, and make fans out of his followers and everyone who hears him.

I know this topic will be sensitive to many, but it has to be talked about. Today we'll talk about some wrong teachings about the "man of God."

What is a man of God?

The Bible has several characters who did great things for the Lord. All of them are known individually as a "man of God" because they heard the Lord and obeyed Him. Basically, then, the phrase "man of God" refers to a person who hears the Lord, and obeys Him.

The phrase "man of God" is common in the Old Testament. During that time, Christ didn't come in the flesh just yet, and so the Holy Spirit didn't reside inside each one of us. Only a few had the Spirit of God upon them, and these few people heard Him speak and obeyed Him. They were set apart unto God.

In the New Testament, the most prominent use of the phrase is when it refers to Timothy. The apostle Paul, in one of his letters, calls him "O man of God" (see 1 Timothy 6:11), obviously reminding him of his identity as a child of God:

"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Being a man of God is pretty simple. It means we belong to God and are loved by God and are obedient and dependent on Him. There are some, however, who twist it so they can benefit from the perceived standing they get from it. Here are some of the twisted or wrong teachings about men of God.

1) That only "anointed" pastors are men of God

This is a big, fat lie. If this is true, then are church members "men of the devil"? Are church janitors or youth volunteers "men of lawlessness"? Are erring and consciously sinning pastors still doing the will of God?

This teaching is so wrong. It elevates a pastor (or any other minister) to a level where they think they are beyond accountability and correction.

Whether you're a pastor or not, if you have totally repented of your sins, have given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and are obeying the word and the Spirit of God, you are doing well. Don't give in to the lie that you need to be an "anointed" pastor to be God's child and servant, because if we are in Christ, we all are.

2) That only those who have a "big vision" are men of God

When God visited Gideon in Judges 6, Gideon was merely threshing wheat, not preaching or laying hands. Yet God called him. Judges 6:12 says,

"And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!""

God was the one who had a great plan for Gideon, not the other way around. If you think being a "man of God" is achieved by dreaming big dreams, then think again. God is the one who gives dreams and visions, and not vice-versa. 

God sets up people according to what He wants, not what we want. Psalm 75:6-7 tells us,

"For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another."

3) That a man of God has to have "credentials."

Those who think they need to have a degree or a position of leadership in order to become a man of God are wrong. Prefixes aren't necessary for this.

Did Jesus ever carry a "Ph.D." wherever He went? Did Paul's letters end with a signature that goes "Rev. Dr. Paul"? Did Peter have initials at the end of his name that went "FSC, FSJ," or "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP"?

I don't mean to say degrees and accolades aren't good because they are. They're just not what makes a man of God. Why? It's because God is not about outward appearances, nor is He about worldly credentials.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."" (1 Samuel 16:7)

Friends, it's not about that. The only credential that matters is this:

"Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

You are a man of God

Friend, if you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, repented of your sin, and are continually walking with the Lord in the process of sanctification and holiness, then you don't need anyone to tell that you're a man of God. The word of God is enough:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

As children of God, we are to obey Him. It's that simple.