Source: www.MNNonline.org
Date: April 15, 2026
International (MNN) — In North Korea, the principle of juche means “self-reliance” — not self-reliance as individuals but rather as a nation under the Kim family. It’s part of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, the system in which North Koreans are taught from infancy to revere the Kim family as supreme authorities, bordering on deities.
But Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says idolizing a leader isn’t just a North Korean issue.
“Children of God have always faced times in their lives where someone rises up to be kind of like a god-like, savior-like figure,” he says.
In some cases, the societal pressure to worship is explicit — like when early Christians were required to treat the Roman emperor as divine. Or in the case of North Korea’s Kim dynasty.
Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, depicts Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il (Image courtesy of Peteranta of Pixabay)
“Instead of the 10 Commandments, [North Koreans] have the 10 Principles,” says Brobbel. “They have hymn books, and the tunes will be very familiar, except that they’ve changed the wording and it’s all pointed to the Supreme Leader.”
But in other parts of the world, societal pressure to idolize a leader can take subtler forms, calling for great discernment.
“There are tensions that we have in place as Christians,” says Brobbel. “The Bible urges us to respect the governing authorities. But also recognizing that that respect is not limited [to total acceptance], right? So this means that real authority always needs to be accountable.”
Brobbel reminds others that God calls His people to be lights and witnesses to the truth, in whatever earthly kingdoms they live in (Matthew 5:13-16; Acts 1:8).
“Christians have a responsibility, therefore, to stand up to recognize when power is stepping into places it’s not meant to. We serve as an example and a witness to the world of the power of God, the glory of God, the supremacy of God in all things,” Brobbel says.
“We do so, again, gently with love but boldly with truth. And we pray that that would make a difference to those that we’re speaking to, or those that are watching.”
Take a moment for a heart check. Are you placing your hope in Christ alone? Do you worship Him in the way Romans 12:1 calls for, with your entire being as a living sacrifice to Him? Pray for greater boldness and truth in your Christian witness, wherever you live.
“We’re not disparaging others, but we simply call in truth into the situation. We readily recognize that when we do so, there needs to be a willingness to suffer,” says Brobbel.
“I think the average person we meet on the street is just as confused and searching as other people are. There’s an opportunity to engage them.”
Header photo courtesy of Amir Mortezaie via Unsplash.