Admit it, we all enjoy praise. We also enjoy recognition for something we did that impressed others and even ourselves. We like to be recognized for being a good employee, or a good neighbor. It’s better to be recognized as being a good citizen, especially if the mayor or the city council bestows the honor. We like to receive
praise, reward, and bonuses for what we have done. We will gladly show off our commendation, certificate, or trophy to all our friends and loved ones.
While it is great to be recognized for doing something special, we must also be aware of pride. Pride is a quality where one fishes for compliments, and sports an ego. Pride causes one to downplay others to make him/herself look better. Pride will lead one to walk all over another or use any means necessary to get the honors and accolades.
Turning to spiritual matters, who is to receive the glory?
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans 15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."
1Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
It is obvious from all these passages that God is the one who is to receive the glory. Where we must be careful is to not take the glory away from God and cast it towards our own direction. This is easy to do. We just need to brag about what good things we have done, and it becomes more of what I did rather than what the Lord has done. We must be careful to make sure that God remains the focus of our glorifying.

By Carey Scott, October 16, 2011

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