I have gotten several invitations to preach where my host asked how I wanted to be introduced to the people. I have maintained a very simple introductory profile: Bro. Lanre Oyeleke or Lanre Oyeleke, director, ProjectSave Int'l Ministries.
Most of my hosts do not honour my preference for simple introduction. They'll still go ahead and heap praises on me before the people. I have been introduced in a way that robs God of his glory and elevates me beyond realistic measure. Someone once introduced me as having all ministry gifts while the people cheered on.
In some places, I have been introduced as apostle Rev pastor evangelist with a very loud ovation. In fact, I have been told to put a title against my name by another minister when we were designing poster. He felt my ministry won't be accepted If I am presented as Lanre Oyeleke.
This is my experience almost everywhere i've been. They force titles on me and heap on me the praises that is due God. Unfortunately, this is what some ministers love and they feel cool when human praise singers sing their praises.
I am smart not to allow those praises get into my head. Immediately, I always return the glory to God in the presence of the people so that the power of the divine can flow through me. I am intentional about this because I don't want to end up like Herod.
King Herod made an oration and the people began to say, "this is the voice of a god not a man". They served him praises on a platter of pride. I am trying to imagine how Herod must have felt feeling like he owned the world.
Is that not how you feel when humans heap praises on you and arrogate to you the glory of God? You even get angry when they don't embellish your introduction before God's people.
When God saw that the praises of men got into his head, an angel of God( not Satan) struck him with sickness and worms ate him up. Ever since I read this story, I became careful about allowing the praises men get into me. I don't want worms to eat me up.
Do not allow men praise you beyond limit. Do not allow their praises get into your head. You cannot stop men from praising you but you can stop their praises from getting into your head. You are the one to mount guard against the praises of men.
That spirit that misled Herod into accepting the praises of men is very much around today. It is working very hard to pull preachers into subtle pride through the praises of men. We know the end result.
Some preachers love flowery introduction that takes the shine off God and makes them the focus. The penchant for titles is baffling among ministers. Some who have never contributed to knowledge or done research subject to peer review attach academic titles like prof/Dr to their names. Sometimes, I pity their ignorance and pride.
God might be using you to do great things. It is not because you are better than others or because you have done something no man has done. You are privileged only by what we call "Election of Grace". You are not better than others, grace just found you.
Don't let the praises of men get into your head. Avoid praise singers. It is a trap to pull you down. Be careful.
