Stop Calling God “The Man Upstairs”
Many people casually refer to God as “the man upstairs,” but this post explains why that phrase is not only inaccurate—it’s dishonoring. Learn what Scripture says about God’s holiness and why how we speak about Him matters.
People toss the name of God around like He’s just some neighbor living in the ceiling. They call Him “the man upstairs” like He’s some laid-back old guy sitting in a rocking chair above the clouds, occasionally glancing down to check on things. It’s supposed to sound harmless. Friendly, even. But it’s not harmless. It’s careless. It shows how small people think God is.
God isn’t a man. Not even close. “God is not a man, that He would lie, nor a son of man, that He would change His mind” (Numbers 23:19). He’s not flawed, forgetful, or figuring things out as He goes. He doesn’t lie. He doesn’t mess up. He doesn’t change. He’s not some human with a fancy office on the top floor. He’s the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who was and is and is to come.
He’s holy. He’s perfect. He’s righteous. He’s not upstairs—He’s everywhere. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 23:24). You can’t box Him in. You can’t stick Him in the attic and check in when you feel like it. “Heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool for My feet” (Isaiah 66:1). That’s the God we’re talking about.
That kind of talk—“the man upstairs”—doesn’t honor Him. It shrinks Him down. It turns the King of kings into a cartoon. People start thinking of God like He’s just one of us, maybe a little wiser, a little more powerful, but still kind of human. That’s dangerous. Because once you lose your fear of God, everything else falls apart. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). You lose your sense of reverence. Your prayers get lazy. Your faith gets weak. And the enemy loves that.
God’s name is holy. His presence is weighty. “So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). Not out of routine. Not out of habit. But because His glory is that real. That overwhelming. So why treat Him like a buddy upstairs with a good view? Why not honor Him for who He is—Father, Lord, Almighty, Most High?
How we speak about God matters. It shows what we believe about Him. So let’s speak with reverence. Let’s remember who He really is. He’s not the man upstairs. He’s the living God, and He deserves to be treated like it.
If your view of God is small, your life of faith will be too. Don’t settle for casual talk when you’re speaking about a holy God. Lift Him up, because He’s worthy of more than a nickname.
______________________________________________________________________________
“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler
I am an internationally published author. I have written two books: Embracing God’s Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.
This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.
Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
