‘Preacher-itis’ is a not so uncommon disease among Christians. It was prevalent in the first century and it is prevalent today. It manifests itself in two distinct types. Type “A” involves an AVERSION to certain preachers and Type “P” involves a PARTIALITY toward certain preachers. Both types are equally as harmful and there is only one immunity—God’s word!

One of the earliest outbreaks of ‘preacher-itis’ is recorded for us in the first century. The church at Corinth had an acute form of the PARTIALITY type of ‘preacher-itis’. The record says, “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ”” (1 Cor. 1:11-12).

 The members of the church in Corinth were exhibiting the primary symptom of this disease—divisiveness. In this case, what likely began as a simple appreciation for a preacher evolved and digressed into a full-blown case of partiality. Over time, such partiality will exhibit the symptom of divisiveness, with varying forms of strife, contention, dissensions, favoritism, cliquishness, and hostility. While there are many other spiritual maladies that exhibit these symptoms, ‘preacher-itis’ must always be considered in the diagnosis.

The cure to ‘preacher-itis’, both the AVERSION type and the PARTIALITY type, requires strong doses of repentance and infusions of God’s word. In the case of the PARTIALITY type, the prescription is to learn “not to think of men above that which is written” (1 Cor. 4:6, KJV). In other words, never exalt men above the word of God. The brethren at Corinth needed to learn to glorify God, not Paul, Apollos or Cephas, if they were to overcome their disease. Christ died for them. These men died for Christ. While it was acceptable to esteem these men (or any other modern preacher) for their work’s sake (1 Thess. 5:13), such esteem should never transcend the esteem of Christ and His word. If you start to use a preacher’s name as much as or more than Christ’s, you might have the early phases of ‘preacher-itis’. Other early warnings involve citing men rather than God’s word; using the arguments of men to answer or support positions rather than book, chapter and verse; and referencing the writings of men more often than the word of God. More advanced forms of the PARTIALITY type involve vehemently defending certain preachers, despite the fact that their teaching is contrary to God’s teaching; exalting certain preachers over other preachers; a constant urge to compare preachers; and making excuses for preachers whose actions are inconsistent with God’s word.

The AVERSION type of ‘preacher-itis’ also has a clear case study in the word of God. The churches in Galatia began to show symptoms of the AVERSION type toward the Apostle Paul. What began as an ordinate and proper respect turned into a clear case of the AVERSION type when Paul was forced to ask, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth” (Gal. 4:16). These are Christians who had previously held Paul in esteem and admiration. While there seems to be no reason to believe that they previously suffered from a case of the PARTIALITY type, there are other indicators that their case of the AVERSION type was viral. They were infected by the ideas and teachings of other men (Gal. 1:6-9; 2:4; et al), which evolved into the case we see here.

As in the instance of the PARITALITY type, the AVERSION type of ‘preacher-itis’ requires strong doses of repentance and large infusions of God’s word, with a particular emphasis on love—loving truth (2 Thess. 2:9-12), loving chastisement (Heb. 12:3-11), loving those who preach the truth without fear and favor (2 Tim. 4:1-5). You might also need continual treatments from Isaiah 5:20-21; Proverbs 17:15 and Proverbs 28:4 to finally overcome your case of AVERSION type ‘preacher-itis’. An extra-supplement of Vitamin 1 Corinthians 13:3-8a, in its pure form, will also help.

Be warned, this is a contagious disease. In Galatia, several others were overcome by varying manifestations of the AVERSION type, directing it at brethren of all sorts, not just preachers (Gal. 2:13). Even preachers are not immune. Hence, we need to inoculate ourselves with a good, healthy dose of a love for God’s word.

If you see the symptoms of ‘preacher-itis’ in your life, please see The Great Physician immediately.