Menkato V Awomi
Dimapur
One truth that has remained constant through the ages is this: God never shares His glory with anyone. From Genesis to Revelation, this truth echoes throughout Scripture. Isaiah 42:8 makes it abundantly clear: I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. God is jealous for His own glory, not in the flawed human sense of jealousy, but in the purest form of righteousness, because only He is worthy of all honor, power, and praise.
The Danger of Touching God’s Glory
History, both biblical and modern, testifies to the rise and fall of many men and women who were once powerfully used by God. They carried great anointing, led revivals, planted churches, and impacted nations. Yet, somewhere along the way, many of them were removed, silenced, or diminished—not because God's power failed, but because they began to touch the glory that belongs only to God.
In our own time, we’ve seen this happen in our communities. Pastors, evangelists, and leaders who pioneered ministries, through whom God moved powerfully are now found nowhere near the fire they once carried. What happened? Somewhere along the line, they forgot that they were just vessels, and began to think that the move of God depended on them.
They began to believe that without them, the Kingdom of God could not advance. That is dangerous ground.
Cooperation, Not Competition with God
Yes, God chooses to partner with human vessels to fulfill His purposes on earth. But let us be clear: He does not need us. He invites us. He equips us. He empowers us. But if we grow proud and start glorifying ourselves, we are no longer building His Kingdom, we’re building our own. And God will never share His glory with our empires.
It is foolishness to think that we are irreplaceable. The Kingdom is God’s, not ours. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen! (Romans 11:36). If we drop the vision, God will raise another. If we disobey, He will use someone else. The story of the Kingdom does not end with us.
The Illusion of Spiritual Power
Sadly, we also see leaders becoming puffed up, not just with pride, but with an illusion of power. Some begin to act like generals in the army of God, demanding submission from others, expecting reverence, even isolating themselves as if they were spiritual royalty.
Some abuse their spiritual authority, forgetting that it was given for the purpose of service, not domination. They manipulate, silence, and shame those under their care, and when the church remains silent—out of respect for their past anointing—they continue unchecked. That is not shepherding. That is spiritual dictatorship.
When a pastor becomes a king and the pulpit becomes a throne, the glory of God has already left the room.
Faith, Growth, and Misused Authority
We must also understand that not everyone is at the same level of faith, and it is unbiblical to expect uniformity. Romans 12:3 tells us, God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Leaders must nurture growth, not demand perfection. Discipleship is not about pressure—it’s about patience and love.
When leaders begin to measure others by their own standards and timelines, and when they rebuke out of frustration rather than love, they are no longer building God’s people—they are building their own image.
God Will Deal with It
God does not overlook this kind of pride. Time and again, we see Him gently warning, and when ignored, He removes His hand It’s not always public scandal. Sometimes it’s just a quiet removal—no more fire, no more authority, no more effectiveness. And the person is left wondering, What happened?
It was never their ministry. It was God’s. And He will make it clear that the power was never in the man or woman, but in Him alone.
Thankfully, our God is also rich in mercy. Restoration is possible. But it requires true repentance—not just regret, but a heartfelt turning back to the Lord, acknowledging that everything we did, we did because of His grace, and nothing of our own.
The Example of Reinhard Bonnke
One of the most powerful lessons in humility and divine purpose comes from the life of Reinhard Bonnke, the evangelist who carried the vision of “Africa shall be saved.” When God gave him that vision, He also gave a warning:
“If you drop the vision, I will drop you and give it to someone else.”
That’s a sobering truth. The vision is God’s. The mission is God’s. The power is God’s. The glory is God’s. We are vessels, not owners. If we drop it, He will raise another.
That doesn’t make us unimportant—it makes us privileged. God choosing to use us is a high calling, not a reason to boast. We should never say, “If it weren’t for this man or woman, God would not have done this.” No. God would have done it, with or without us. Let’s honor the obedience of men and women of God, yes, but let’s not glorify them.
Conclusion: Be a Vessel, Not a Thief of Glory
Let us remember: God does not call us to be stars. He calls us to be servants.
The moment we start believing the applause, the moment we begin to think we are the reason for God’s move, we are on the path of decline.
Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and be content to be used for His glory—never to steal it. If we boast, let it be in this: that we are vessels in the hands of a mighty God.
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 10:17
When God withdraws His hands don't mistake it for Persecution from devil, it's God's dealing with you.
May we be found faithful, not famous. And may all the glory, forever and always, belong to God alone.
