1 Samuel 17 Part 11 Samuel 17 Part 1
Lance Johnson Ministries
We may not be fashioning idols out of gold and silver to bow down to in modern society, but we are very good at fashioning our own gods out of religion and reason. This form of idolatry is more subtle, more pervasive, and harder to recognize. As Bishop La
29:30•7 Sept 2025
Putting God Above Religion: Bishop Lance Johnson on David, Idolatry and True Freedom
Episode Overview
- Modern idolatry often takes the shape of religion, vision and success rather than physical idols.
- Chasing numbers, buildings and church growth can lead to using people instead of loving them as souls.
- True freedom and revival come from intimacy with God and humility, not from ministry achievements.
- David’s example shows that trusting God with your calling is better than fighting to protect position or prophecy.
- Giving your life to ministry is different from giving your life to God; love for God must shape how you treat others.
“Sometimes we know the prophecy more than we know the God of the prophecy.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This sermon-style episode of *Release the Roar* with Bishop Lance Johnson speaks straight to anyone who’s wrestled with addiction, religion, or the pressure to perform in church life. Drawing from 1 Samuel 17 and the story of David and Goliath, Bishop Lance talks honestly about his own past, including how success in ministry once pulled him away from truly caring for people.
He admits, "I'm not proud of who I let success turn me into," describing seasons where church growth, numbers, and buildings mattered more to him than souls and spiritual wellbeing. The heart of his message is that modern idolatry often isn’t about statues, but about turning religion, vision, and prophecy into "gods" that serve our ego.
He challenges church culture that uses people like "merchandise" to build empires, and calls out the emotional rollercoaster of chasing numbers, influence, and prophetic words while forgetting the God behind them. As he puts it, "Sometimes we know the prophecy more than we know the God of the prophecy." Using David as an example, Bishop Lance paints a picture of a life centred on intimacy with God rather than ministry success.
David didn’t manipulate, fight, or tear others down to protect his calling; he trusted that if God gave the kingdom, God could restore it. That same trust, he argues, is key for anyone rebuilding life after addiction or religious hurt: "I'm not laboring to fulfil my ministry.
I'm laboring to know him." If you’ve ever felt used by church, burnt out by serving, or torn between your recovery and religious expectations, this message offers challenge, honesty, and a different way forward. Ready to ask whether your focus is on God or on the structures around him?
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