Are we Little "gods"?
A common misconception is that people think we are "little gods".
That confusion comes from this verse.
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
- John 10:34 (KJV)
Note that "gods" is spelled with a lowercase "g".
In the NIV "gods" is put between quotes. A bit like: 'Oh, you are "gods" now are you?'.
The above verse is a reference to Psalms 82.
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
- Psalms 82 (KJV)
The psalm is not talking about us being "little gods", but more about being "god-like" (in the sense that they judge others). Asaph is talking to the ones who judge in other words.
The psalms also says "But ye shall die like men" which is a clear indication that the "gods" described here are simply men.
There is a clear difference between "begotten by God" (Jesus the Son of God), and "a created being" (you and I). We are essentially adopted into God's Family.
We are created in God's image and likeness.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
- Genesis 1:26 (KJV)
The whole idea that we're "gods" comes from satan.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
- Genesis 3:4-5 (KJV)
Yes, knowing good and evil makes us like God, but none of us have God's righteousness.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
- Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
We all fall short of the glory of God.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
- Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Let's face it, there is no one like God.
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
- Isaiah 46:9 (KJV)
So are we "little gods"?
No, not even close.
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God.
- Ezekiel 28:1-2 (KJV)