Topical Bible: Glory: Temporal: Seek Not, from Man

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In the biblical context, the concept of glory is multifaceted, encompassing both the eternal glory of God and the temporal glory that humans may seek from one another. The Scriptures consistently caution against the pursuit of human glory, emphasizing that true honor and recognition should come from God alone.

The desire for human approval and recognition is a recurring theme in the Bible, often depicted as a temptation that leads individuals away from a sincere relationship with God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus addresses this issue directly, highlighting the spiritual danger of seeking glory from people rather than from God. He states, "How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44). This rhetorical question underscores the incompatibility of genuine faith with the pursuit of human accolades.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to this issue in his letters, urging believers to focus on pleasing God rather than seeking the approval of others. In Galatians, he writes, "Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). Here, Paul makes it clear that the pursuit of human glory is antithetical to the life of a true servant of Christ.

The Old Testament provides further insight into the futility of seeking temporal glory. The prophet Jeremiah warns against trusting in human wisdom, strength, or riches, which are often sources of worldly glory. Instead, he exhorts, "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). This passage redirects the focus from human achievements to the knowledge and understanding of God as the true source of glory.

The teachings of Jesus further illustrate the transient nature of human glory. In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns against performing righteous acts for the sake of being seen by others, stating, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). This admonition highlights the ephemeral nature of human praise and the enduring value of divine approval.

Throughout Scripture, the pursuit of temporal glory is depicted as a distraction from the ultimate goal of glorifying God. Believers are encouraged to seek the eternal glory that comes from a life lived in obedience and devotion to God, rather than the fleeting recognition of men.

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Matthew 6:2
Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
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1 Thessalonians 2:6
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
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Library

Whether the Image of the Divine Trinity is in the Soul Only by ...
... when we seek trinity in the soul, we seek it in ... to be found in the soul, even as
regards temporal objects ... are transformed into the same image from glory to glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the image of the.htm

The Fortieth Chapter: Man Has no Good in Himself and Can Glory in ...
... Let the Jews seek the glory that comes from another. I will seek that which comes
from God alone. All human glory, all temporal honor, all worldly ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fortieth chapter man has.htm

That Man Hath no Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory
... 6. Let the Jews seek the honour which cometh from one another; but I ... that which cometh
from God only.(3) Truly all human glory, all temporal honour, all ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xl that man hath.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... seek after, and yet he charges us to seek after it. ... who is a light inaccessible and
full of glory, whom no ... If we stay within the sphere of temporal and worldly ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii but seek ye.htm

Whether Vainglory is a Mortal Sin?
... again when a man prefers to God the temporal good in ... and the glory which is from
God alone, you do not seek?". ... to the intention of him that seeks glory, it is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vainglory is a mortal.htm

Whether the New Law Directed Man Sufficiently as Regards Interior ...
... other earthly goods ought we to shun the glory of human ... for revenge, or out of lust
for temporal goods, or ... might be safeguarded, not that man might seek revenge ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law directed.htm

Letter xix. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence Upon Him for ...
... of manifesting an anxious concern about the supply of our temporal wants, since ... all
your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ ... "And seek not ye what ...
/.../letter xix submission to the.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... That which is expressed, is seeking the kingdom of God, of grace and glory. If ye
seek this kingdom, all temporal things shall be laid to your hand, all ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and ...
... apostle, 1 John 1:5. This is his peculiar glory, for "in ... Look upon us all, what do
we seek after ... It is some present thing, some bodily and temporal thing, that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii but seek ye.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... peril, when they were no longer encompassed by temporal trials. ... in them, and with
a desire to promote God's glory by means ... do not go out of the way to seek them ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm