7 Life Decisions for Spiritual PowerSample

Never accept any glory

We all desire acknowledgement. After working hard on a project, we believe people should recognise our efforts. When we receive a trophy, we feel we deserve it and take pride in the credit we receive.

However, we can quickly take things too far. We begin to accept the "glory" we receive for our hard work, starting to believe that it is right for others to honour us. This is exemplified by some celebrities who feel entitled to respect. The same thing can happen with a good preacher, a wealthy person in business, or anyone who rises above their peers or colleagues. To crave and accept human glory is a sin. Often, without realising it, this leads us to a place where we seek to profit from and trade with the glory we are receiving.

Very soon, we find ourselves unable to live without the allure of glory. This desire often leads to an inflated self-image, which is typically followed by pride. When pride takes hold, we can become a "stench" to others, prompting God to turn against us, as He detests pride. Loneliness then becomes our new companion, and people begin to lose respect for us. Accepting and ultimately consuming glory is like trying to feed a caterpillar; they eat and eat without stopping, continuously consuming. The same thing happens to those who become addicted to fame or glory. Taking glory for yourself and pride are twins.

Glory belongs to God. Jesus stated, "I came to glorify the Father." He never sought glory for Himself; instead, He came so that the Father might be glorified. God the Father never shares His glory: “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other” (Isaiah 42:8; ESV) and “My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:11; ESV). The Bible is clear: God must be glorified (Ps. 29:1-2; Rom. 11:36). "Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth” (Psalm 115:1; NASB2020). “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power” (Revelation 4:11; NASB2020).

Jesus, the Son of God and God Himself, came to glorify the Father: "I do not seek My own glory” (John 8:50; BSB) and in Philippians 2:8-11 (BSB) – “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death… Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place… every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”