VAINGLORY!

Someone called me the other night to tell me that they had a divine message for me from God. They talked for over an hour about themselves, before the supposed message from God was delivered. The more they talked about themselves, the more they elevated themselves. The conversation was all about, me, myself, and I. They reminded me of a helium balloon. The balloon is just a flat rubbery like object. It really isn’t noticeable until you fill it with air. The more air is in the balloon, the bigger the balloon gets. Some people lives are like that, full of air and with no substance.

VAINGLORY means excessive or ostentatious pride especially in one’s achievements.

VAINGLORY is linked with self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, swelled head, etc. You get the picture.

The Bible has a lot to say about “vainglory.” “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” Galatians 5:26.

A vainglorious attitude is not very likable in a person and they can be annoying to be around. Vainglorious people are vain, excessively boastful, and have swelled pride with a swelled head. The base word, vainglory, dates all the way back to the 14th century and means “worthless glory.”

In scripture, vain describes something which is empty, fruitless, futile, and without effect. Glory speaks of the opinion, estimate, or view of someone or something in the eyes of others. Thus vainglory identifies a self preoccupation with one’s image that results in meaningless self-esteem, empty pride, and conceit.

Now let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with other people recognizing your good qualities, your accomplishments, and your good deeds. In fact, seeking to live a life in a way that inspires others, to give glory to God and to pursue a virtuous life, is good. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:15).

However, seeking praises from man, for your own sake, is sinful. Because you want glory for yourself, more that glory for God. When you want to receive praises from man, which is vain glory, that is empty and without substance. It inflates the ego and it serves no Godly purpose. God is the Source of our success, who provided the resources for you to obtain everything that you received. You did not do anything on or of your own.

That boastfulness need to be surrendered to God. It is a manifestation of an individual’s desire to make it known about your excellence, by showing that you are not inferior to someone else.

Instead of desiring vainglory, we should seek real glory. Genuine glory comes through humility and obedience of faith. Real glory comes from God. If we focus on getting the honor, praise, and glory that comes to us from man and ourselves, our ability to believe God’s word and promises will be naught.

True glory will only come from God. May we all set our eyes, hearts, and affections on things above where Christ is seated, with all of His glory.

GLORY BE TO GOD!