In our early church days, a member would often ask about my clothes, then replicate my style. While it might seem harmless, I noticed his heart wasn’t right. He eventually left the church. That experience taught me that copying someone’s appearance doesn’t mean you’re copying their character. I saw the need to copy right.
Friend, you need to copy the right things (Philippians 4:9). Followership is copying or imitating someone so you can be a better version of yourself. But you need to be sure you’re copying the right things and that you are also copying right. A lot of people copy the wrong things from their pastors (1 Corinthians 11:1). Some people join church because of how the pastor dresses, speaks, or laughs.
While dressing or speaking like your pastor may not be bad in themselves, they can hinder genuine growth (1 Timothy 4:13-15). What are you looking for in your man of God? Is it his suits or his closet with God? Are you only interested in the way he talks, or in the way he hears God (Isaiah 50:4-5)? It is what you are looking for that you would get.
Gehazi was obsessed with material things from Elisha until he got leprosy (2 Kings 5:26-27). But Elisha knew that it was the double portion of Elijah’s spirit that would make a difference in his life and destiny. There would always be a difference between the man pursuing gold and the man pursuing God (2 Kings 2:9-15). You have got to choose wisely.
One of the dangers of closeness to a man of God is familiarity. While familiarity breeds contempt, true intimacy breeds respect (Acts 4:13). You respect your man of God to the point that asking about his tailor is not your preoccupation. It is learning to catch the spirit that produces the suits (2 Corinthians 12:18).
Pastors must learn to model the right things (Hebrews 6:12, 13:7, 17). Let people know the stories behind your success rather than just flaunting it. When a pastor steps on the pulpit to tell his members the kind of shoes he’s wearing and its cost, you know we already have a crisis in our hands. It is careless and carnal pastors that raise covetous congregation (Luke 12:13-15).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria