The Serpent's Lie - "You will be like Gods"

A closer look at the "little gods" doctrine and what the Word of God says.

The belief that Christians are “little gods” is not only fundamentally flawed but also dangerously misleading. It conflates our profound union with Christ with an erroneous idea of equality with God. While Scripture elevates believers as adopted children, heirs alongside Christ, and vessels indwelt by the Spirit, it never intimates that we share in the divine essence of God.

Let’s delve into the Scriptures to uncover why this doctrine is erroneous:
In the Book of Isaiah, we encounter a powerful declaration of God’s singularity and sovereignty. - "Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me." (Isaiah 43:10) and "I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:5)

Here in the book of Isaiah, God clearly disavows the existence of any other true gods—past, present, or future. If believers were to become gods, even in a diminutive sense as "little Gods", these Scriptures would be rendered false and meaningless.

In 2 Peter 1:4, we learn that as believers, we “partake in God’s divine nature,” but this does not imply that we become gods ourselves. Instead, it signifies our participation in God's life and holiness—reflecting His moral attributes—not His divine essence. God’s attributes, such as omnipotence and omniscience, are far beyond our human experience and capabilities.

The doctrine of “little gods” ironically mirrors the serpent’s deceitful whisper in the Garden of Eden. "You will be like God." (Genesis 3:5)
This foundational heresy encourages us to aspire to a status of deity, echoing the original temptation that led to humanity's fall. It’s crucial for us to exercise discernment and not to fall prey to such misleading teachings that elevate humanity at the expense of God’s glory.

While we walk in fellowship with Jesus, we must acknowledge that He is the “only-begotten Son” (John 1:14) and our “Lord” (Ephesians 4:5). Our status as sons is one of adoption, not of divine nature. We are not the second, third, or even fourth begotten Son; but we do enjoy the privilege of being grafted into God’s family through the sacrificial love of Christ.

In conclusion, as Christians, the bottom line is that we are not "little gods." We are redeemed Christians, bought at a price by the blood of Christ. We are not divine beings but cherished children of grace, called to reflect God’s glory, His light, and His love.

Any claim otherwise diminishes His grandeur and exaltation. Scripture has long warned us against this fallacy, which seeks to elevate humanity while lowering the majesty of God. Let us hold fast to the truth and not be swayed by such deceptions as the "little Gods" doctrine.