Bible Question: Are we little gods?

Bible Question: Someone stated that we are all gods (with a little "g"). So we have the power to do what we want, get health and prosperity, and so forth. He used Genesis 1:26 (that we were all created in His image) and this passage . . . Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came--and Scripture cannot be broken-- do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father" (John 10:34-38). This person stated the above to prove that if the Word of God comes to you (a believer) then you are a little god. How do you address this?

Bible Answer: Are we "little gods"? The answer is found in your response to this question, "Do you know of any Christian who can change the color of the moon to green?" If we are gods, then we should be able to do that. If the question seems to be begging a power that is too much for a little god to perform, then how do we decide what powers a little god has? Who decides? Where does the Bible define those powers? It is important to note that the Bible never says we have any god-like powers.

In Genesis 1:26, God says that He created us in His image. For a detailed explanation of the meaning of this passage, we would encourage you to read, "What is the image of God?"

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness . . .” (NASB) Gen. 1:26

We are like God in many ways, but we do not have the identical nature of God. The Hebrew words for "like" and "image" mean that we resemble Him, but we do not have all of His attributes. Yes, God can think. He has emotions and He has a will. So do we! But God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) and we are wicked (Rom. 3:23). God is eternal, but we are mortal (1 Cor. 15:54; 1 Tim. 1:17). God is infinite, and therefore we cannot escape His presence; but we are finite (Psalms 139:7-10). God is all powerful (Luke 1:37), but we are not. God knows everything (Job 37:16; Job 38-40) but we do not. If we are gods, why is our knowledge limited? God can do anything that He wants (Luke 1:37). Can "little gods"? What can little gods do? Can "little gods" only create wealth and health? Why are "little gods" limited in their powers if they are in fact "like" God?

John 10:34-38 is a curious passage. For a full explanation of the passage, we would encourage you to read, "Why would Jesus say that we are gods?" The passage is often used by Mormons in an attempt to challenge Christians into believing that we are gods or that we can become gods.They seek to make converts to Mormonism. So it is important to note that Jesus quotes Psalm 82:5-7 when He says,

Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’? (NASB) John 10:34

Psalm 82:5-7 was a rebuke of of some Jewish leaders who were acting as if they were gods. So God rebuked them saying they were like gods, but they were going to die just like mortal men. There was nothing special about them. Then during Jesus' confrontation with the Jewish religious leaders, He used the derogatory statement to silence His critics. His critics understood the meaning of the passage and attempted to kill Him anyway.

Conclusion:No, you are not "little gods," and God has not granted you God-like powers. However, He has given us the power of prayer. When God answers our prayers, we can cast out demons (Mark 9:29). He grants our daily needs (Matt. 6:11), and He will heal (James 5:13-14). Prayer is power! But many of us ask wrongly or not at all (James 4:1-2). God calls us to pray always (1 Thess. 5:17). May the Lord bless you as you pray.