By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS: Christians must measure cultural female role models by Scripture. Figures like Oprah Winfrey may show admirable traits, yet their influence often celebrates self-exaltation. Oprah’s spirituality illustrates the danger of becoming your own authority, urging believers toward discernment and identity in Christ.
So many woman are lifted up to us in our Western culture as proper role models. If they are not Christian women who prove their faith over time with good doctrine and good works, they are not a role model. Even some women who profess Christianity are not proper role models, because of their entrenched rebellion of one flavor or another. Of the unsaved women who rise to the level of touted role model celebrity, there may be admirable qualities we can speak of positively, such as Oprah’s philanthropy, or how Frida Kahlo overcame illness to paint using Mexican folklore subjects, or Pink’s ‘authenticity and relatability’ in songwriting, but overall, if they are not saved they should not be looked up to as a role model to imitate.
Unfortunately, Oprah Winfrey, who became so famous we need only say her first name and we know who she is, constantly is referred to as a successful woman. According to the world’s standards, she is a success. First-name famous, talented and accomplished in many different fields, wealthy, and in a long term relationship (rare in Hollywood), she seems successful. She has been in the public eye for so long, is one of the most famous women on the planet, she has by now entered into her era as icon.
She has partnered with her long-term boyfriend Stedman Graham since 1986. They are not married. They co-habitate as unmarried partners. The world admires a 40-year relationship that still seems happy and thriving. It doesn’t seem to happen often in the celeb world.
But I am sad for her and here is why.
Oprah said in a 2020 interview Oprah Explains Why She and Stedman Skipped Marriage for a “Spiritual Partnership”-
I realized I didn’t actually want a marriage. I wanted to be asked. I wanted to know he felt I was worthy of being his missus, but I didn’t want the sacrifices, the compromises, the day-in-day-out commitment required to make a marriage work. My life with the show was my priority, and we both knew it.
Stedman said in a 2024 interview, “Inside Oprah Winfrey’s Four-Decade Romance With Stedman Graham“-
“The thing about our relationship is, I’m dedicated to her happiness, so that’s great for her and I want her to be the best she can possibly be and she’s done a pretty good job of doing that,” he said. “And so for me, I’ve been able to find my own happiness, my own skills, my own talents, my own abilities and I’m satisfied with that. I’m happy with that.” [emphasis was italics in original quote]
He published a book in 2019 called Identity Leadership in which he says he is teaching “self-actualization, self-mastery, self-development, self-empowerment…”
Oprah further says in the above article she followed Gary Zukov and his concept of spiritual partnership from his book Spiritual Partnership: The Journey to Authentic Power. He teaches that whenever an undesirable emotion occurs, it is ‘a frightened part of your personality’. He teaches we can self-will it into submission. As Oprah puts it, “It’s what Gary Zukav defines as a spiritual partnership: partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth.”
There is no spiritual growth if you are not in Christ. Or rather, there is spiritual growth but it’s a consistent slide deeper into depravity. There is only one way to salvation, one Spirit who grows you, One God who has elected us for regeneration.
Oprah’s theology has always been suspect, and there are a zillion other reasons not to follow her book recommendations or lifestyle. But the best and clearest reason is how, by her example of how to be your own god.
Christians know this fact: there is nothing good in us.
For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. (Romans 7:18)
BibleHub explains about what being your own god involves:
The phrase “being your own god” refers to an outlook or lifestyle that places oneself at the highest level of authority and worship. It is an approach that rejects or diminishes the rightful position of an eternal Creator, instead exalting personal autonomy and self-reliance. Scriptural narratives show that this is more than simple pride; it is an inward orientation that assumes the functions of deity-control over moral law, purpose, and worship-without acknowledging the sovereignty of the One who actually deserves praise.
Traits and Indicators-
1. Self-Exaltation
2. Rejection of Divine Authority
3. Idolatry of Self-Reliance
4. Distrust in God’s Revelation
Each trait incudes a paragraph of explanation. There is much more to the essay as well, I encourage you to go to the above link and explore the issue of self-idolatry. Because of our Fall from grace as described in the historical narrative in Genesis 3, and because of our inward tendency even as regenerated Christians to exalt self rather than mortify it, Christians should be aware of the ease with which we can slide into self-exaltation rather than self-mortification.
1 Corinthians 11:19 says, For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
I often wonder why God allows false teachers to draw away the unwary, why he lets an Oprah continue speaking lies in the devil’s name- and for so long, too! I think the verse above gives us one answer: it is because He tests us. As the verse above says, who will spit out the snake venom and who will allow the snake venom to course around the body? 2 Timothy 4:3 says false teachers are heaped up because of what the people want to hear. By raising up those who oppose Him, God tests our loyalty and refines the church. False teachers are also a kind of ‘spot the difference’ for the purpose of maturing us in discernment. They are a training ground, according to Hebrews 5:14.
Our identity is in Christ, and what a gift that is! Christ is the best, perfect, holiest Person there is.
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James 4:10).
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12).
FURTHER RESOURCES
Doreen Virtue, former New Ager and current Christian, talks about her time as a New Ager, was on the Oprah show, and why she recently burned her handwritten letter from Oprah to her-
GotQuestions: What is the definition of idolatry?
Ligonier: The Trap of Vain Glory: Proverbs 25:6–7
“Vain glory, selfish ambition, and self-exaltation pervade the working environment perhaps more than any other traits. Some people do not struggle with diligence and industry because they are driven by their own selfish desires to be “successful.” “
the-end-time.org 