GLORY SEEKING

KJV and NKJV Scripture

– He that speaks of himself – seeks his own glory. – John 7:18

– Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips. – Proverbs 27:2

When man searches for his own glory, it is not glory in the eyes of God (Proverbs 25:27).  Glory-seeking like this leads to a lot of prideful speaking.  Personal pronouns like “I” and “my” preface communications followed with words about how proud one is of such things as their children, charity, or careers.  This talk has crossed from world to Word, with many Christians openly and pridefully glorying of works and churches.

Satan fell like lightning from heaven a long time ago (Luke 10:18) – never to return because of his pride. The devil wanted a glory only God is ever entitled to. Our Father will not give His to another (Isaiah 42:8). So, since then, Satan has been roaring around like a starving lion here on earth, going to and fro (1 Peter 5:8, Job 1:7), seeking whom he can devour.  People like Job, who had developed a huge “I” problem.

Here is a man God called upright, and who eschewed evil (Job 1:8).  It did not matter to Satan.  The devil saw Job’s worldly blessings as his hedge for honoring God (Job 1:10), and his self-glorying (Job 29:20) as a reason to destroy nearly everything Job had.  Seeking God’s permission first as is always the case – Satan then promptly proceeded to eradicate almost all of it in the span of a single day (Job 1:12-19).

Job’s worst fears had just been realized (Job 3:25). When his three friends heard about all that had just happened, they showed up in support.  However, all four sat silent for a week.  Job’s grief was great.  Why did God allow such horrific affliction (Job 2:7, 11-13, Lamentations 3:32-33)?  Well, Job was a man of flesh whose glory was fresh inside him (Job 29:20).  This is always unacceptable to God (1 Corinthians 1:29).

The 29th chapter of Job clearly shows how blinded he had become by both his prideful “I” issues and “my” mentality.  From the 6th to 25th verse, God’s name is not mentioned once.  However, Job uses “I”, “my”, and “me” 39 times in just 20 verses.  He just cannot stop talking about himself here.  Job certainly seemed to cherish the idea he was choosing out the paths in life for other people – instead of God (Job 29:21-25).

Seeking our own glory sows seeds of arrogance and pride.  Unrighteous roots soon form and branches of bragging, gloating and showboating are fast to follow. Such is boasting in everything but the Cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14) … and it is not glorying in personal infirmities so God’s grace can be sufficient at all times – that the power of Jesus can rest upon us continually (2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Peter 4:14).

During the Jews’ feast of tabernacles, some of Christ’s brethren implored him to start showing himself more openly than he had been doing (Mark 1:43-44, Mark 8:27-30).  Otherwise, what was the point of Jesus being so secretive (John 7:2-4)?  However, Christ couldn’t seek glory belonging only to God by broad-casting heavenly works and miracles to as many as possible – as one leper did (Mark 1:45, John 7:18).

We are all to give proper glory to the Lord – humbly; not pridefully – before He causes darkness.  Before our feet stumble upon the dark mountain – and when we look for light again – He shall then turn it into the shadow of death (Jeremiah 13:16).  It isn’t the gushy and loud lip service glory given most frequently on a Sunday morning; but by quiet life service like Christ, born out of a steadfast, unwavering faith within.

So we can keep ourselves unspotted from the world as much as possible (James 1:27).  So we prove our own works to God – and have rejoicing in ourselves alone – and not in another (Galatians 6:4).  So we’re happy having faith to ourselves and do not flaunt in front of others (Romans 14:22).  So the glory stays right where it is supposed to – above and not below (1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 57:5, Psalm 113:4).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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GLORY DAYS

(Scripture from the NKJV and KJV)

– He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory – but for men to search their own glory is not glory – John 7:18, Psalm 25:27

Job had a huge “I” problem – Satan knew it and so did God. When we read Job, Chapter 29 – we can see how big of an earthly blessing mindset vs. an eternal rewards blindness problem Job had. His glory was fresh in himself and his bow was renewed (Job 29:20). People could not wait to hear Job speak and hear his wisdom concerning godly matters – they kept silent at his counsel (Job 29:21-22).

When he was done – they waited for his next speech like the rain (Job 29:23). Job called himself personally blessed when people listened to his word (Job 29:11). He even went looking for causes he didn’t even know about yet – which further blurred his “I” sight (Job 29:16).

Because of the glory Job gave himself first – and because of his hedge of family, friends, and livestock – God gave Satan permission to take everything from Job but his wife and life. And, in the span of one day – the devil did just that (Job 1:3-19). Even though Job did not curse God nor sin as a result – it took some time for him and his friends to figure out why it happened (Job 1:22).

Pretty much all of the book of Job covers this – many opinions offered up as to why such bad things had befallen such a good – and godly man. But, Job’s glory was in himself – and God stripped him of it through Satan – removing the crown from Job’s head (Job 19:9). Suddenly, Job wasn’t feeling so blessed anymore (Job 19:10-20).

When we die, any glory we think we may have attained or obtained while living – will not descend into the grave after us (Psalm 49:17). As Bruce Springsteen once wrote, our glory days will pass us by in the wink of a young girl’s eyes. However, God glory is from everlasting to everlasting – and He will not give it to anyone else (Isaiah 42:8, Isaiah 60:19).

That is the glory He has called us into by Christ Jesus for eternity (1 Peter 5:10) – not our own here on earth – especially as Christians. If we don’t like that – it could end in near disaster for us just like Job – who finally did “get” who gets all the glory (Job 38:1 – Job 42:15).

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