Here A Princess, There A Princess, Everyone's a Princess...

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." 1 Corinthians 4:1-2


That was the Apostle Paul who wrote that. Despite being an Apostle, despite being a prominent leader in the early church, despite his reputation and great status among Believers, he was clearly expressing he was nothing more than a servant and slave to Christ.

I've noticed a phenomenon among the church. There's appears to be a fascination with titles. Prophetess, Prophet, Evangelist, Bishop, Apostle, Princess, Prince, His Highness, her Highness, his Excellency (no, I'm not kidding) her Excellency. Yet, the one title that Christ gives to His people is nothing more than "Servant" and "Slave". Oddly enough, I have yet to find anyone tacking Servant or Slave onto their name.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." John 13:16 

Yet, this is essentially what these titles do. It's making us greater than our master who never once used these titles for Himself. The word "Master" alone should pop out to us. No slave is given esteeming titles especially by the Master. Jesus gave an example of the day of judgment for His people and not once did he use any prideful term for any of them.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Matthew 25:23

All this business about titles falls right into line with the popular self-esteem, self-centered, prideful and worldy teachings flooding the church. It is entirely a means to puff up one's self. Christ, who rightfully could have, never once tacked a title onto his name other than what expressed His humility. He never once referred to Himself with any of the silly titles common with professing Christians today and He was God in the flesh.

In the Bible, those who were obsessed with titles denoting importance and power to themselves in the early church were not among true believers.

"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Mark 10:42-45

Even in the Old Testament, did any Prophet introduce themselves or express their need or desire to be called a Prophet? In fact, it was the exact opposite. The angel speaking with John in Revelation 22:9 even refused any exaltation or worship from the Apostle. Rather, he said "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

As if Michael himself would ever pass it around and want to be referred to as "Archangel Michael". As a slave or servant wanting to be referred to by other slaves as "Prophet, his highness or Princess". How would their common master react to this self elevation? Would he not take it as a direct affront to his authority? I do know someone who would stamp a title on himself blatantly without regard...Satan.

True leadership is not in puffing oneself up with titles. True leadership is in being a servant, not only to God, but to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in humility thinking more highly of others than themselves. In Matthew 20, the mother of Zebedee’s sons requested her special boys sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. She wanted that special place of honor for his boys. Jesus' ultimate response was rather...

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

People, instead, do the exact opposite. They declare themselves great immediately with a title and want to be served rather then serving and becoming a slave to others inconspicuously in all humility. Giving one's self a title means absolutely nothing to God other than a display of pride, which He hates. The individual who insists on their own greatness by using a title uses them to imply they are important, they can be trusted, they are wise, demonstrates a need to be looked up to and even worshiped by others. It demonstrates arrogant boasting in one's self when they are really nothing.

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3

It puts them in a position of authority over others just by using a silly word because all these self appointed titles are indeed titles of authority. Instead of pointing to Christ in their lives, speech, thinking and character, they point to themselves. That's very dangerous to the easily deceived, broken, damaged person whose looking for answers and will fall prey to this. It's also dangerous for the self-important person because, in a lot of ways, this is elevating one's self next to Christ. Since we are to be servants and humble, what do these kinds of titles tell us about the individual? Humility is what marks a true Believer, not insistence on one's own greatness by giving them self a title. That's not humility, that's pride, worldly, and a serious red flag.

 Christ is the Master and we are just His servants. If we're in such need to boast about something then it should be only this...

"but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24