Faith and Religion Hub

---

The Rise of the Self-Anointed and the Fall of Biblical Authority

In every generation, God raises leaders who serve His people by pointing them back to His Word. But alongside them, there always seems to be another kind of leader—one who points people back to themselves. Today, this second group is rising in number and influence, and it is reshaping the way many view authority in the church. The result is a dangerous shift: from biblical authority, grounded in God’s truth, to self-anointed authority, grounded in personal vision and charisma.

True authority in the church does not come from personality, popularity, or even apparent success. It comes from God Himself, revealed through His Word and confirmed by His Spirit. Paul described Scripture as “God-breathed” and “profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Biblical authority is marked by:

• Submission to Christ as Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22–23).
   
• Faithfulness to the whole counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:27).
   
• Accountability within the body (Hebrews 13:17).
   
• Servant leadership modeled after Christ (Mark 10:42–45).
   

Even Paul, with all his apostolic authority, submitted his message to the other apostles (Galatians 2:1–2). Biblical leadership does not demand to be followed; it invites others to follow Christ.

In contrast, self-anointed leaders often bypass these safeguards. They proclaim their calling without testing, claim new revelations without grounding them in Scripture, and elevate their platforms over their character. Their message subtly shifts from “Thus says the Lord” to “I feel the Lord is saying…”—a phrase that often leaves no room for discernment or correction.

This is not new. Korah in the wilderness declared, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy,” as he rose up against Moses (Numbers 16:3). Absalom “stole the hearts of the people” by flattering them and promising better leadership (2 Samuel 15:6). Even Diotrephes in the early church “loved to be first” and refused to welcome those sent by the apostles (3 John 9–10).

Today, the pattern repeats. Influencers with millions of followers preach a gospel of self-empowerment rather than repentance. “Prophets” sell access to their “anointing.” Churches become personality-driven brands rather than communities grounded in the Word. Many of these leaders may start with sincere intentions, but without submission to biblical authority, their influence drifts off course.

When biblical authority falls, confusion rises. People become dependent on human voices rather than God’s voice in Scripture. The result is a fragile faith that collapses when the leader fails or the trends shift. Jeremiah warned about this dynamic in his day: “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:31).

Practical consequences follow:

• Division grows as personalities compete for influence.
   
• Immaturity persists because discipleship becomes shallow.
   
• Disillusionment spreads when leaders fall and followers feel betrayed.
   

The answer is not cynicism toward all leadership. God still calls and equips people to guide His church. The answer is a return to the ancient paths of biblical authority:

• Measure every message by Scripture (Acts 17:11).
   
• Look for fruit, not just gifts (Matthew 7:15–20).
   
• Value accountability over charisma (Proverbs 11:14).
   
• Embrace servant leadership that mirrors Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5–8).
   

When God’s Word is restored to its rightful place, the church becomes healthier. Leaders are freed from the pressure to perform, and believers are anchored in truth rather than swayed by trends.

Even those who have drifted into self-anointed leadership are not beyond redemption. Saul of Tarsus was convinced of his own authority until Christ confronted him and redirected his zeal for God’s purposes (Acts 9). The same grace is available today. Repentance restores both leaders and followers to the security of God’s design.