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It doesn’t even sound like something I’d do. But after I lingered on the thought long enough I couldn’t help but wonder… Would I? Have I?
While reading the account of Absalom’s revolt against his father, King David, I was captivated by the verses that described what exactly Absalom did.
2 Samual 15:6 says, “In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
The people were going to the king, but Absalom was directing their attention and affection away from the king and onto himself. He was committing treason against his father and against his king.
Okay, so y’all know that I’m a word girl, which means, of course, I had to look up the word treason so that I could get a clear understanding of what it means.
Treason ~ treachery, disloyalty, betrayal, faithlessness; sedition, subversion, mutiny, rebellion; high treason, lèse-majesté; apostasy
We do the same thing when we seek to shift the attention and affection away from God and onto ourselves for whatever reason it may be.
Recently, I was talking to a friend who was telling me about her many ministries and all that she was involved in and all she had been doing for so many women in her sphere of influence. She sprinkled in the Lord a few times in that uncomfortable conversation but it was clear that she had become the object of her own affection.
Don’t get me wrong… she’s a woman who is constantly pouring herself into the lives of other women. She’s a woman who is consistently being tugged at to minister to the hearts of women all around her. But somewhere along the way…
- It became more about what she was doing instead of what God was doing in her and through her.
- It became more about what she had to do rather than what God was allowing her to do.
- It turned into a burden instead of a blessing because she made it all about herself instead of all about the One who had gifted her with the opportunity to speak life into other women’s lives.
Psalm 115:1 should be the echo of our hearts…
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.”
1 Chronicles 29:11 tells us,
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”
We were all created for more and, as children of God, we want to accomplish more… that’s a very healthy response to understanding who we are in Christ and having a sincere desire to be all God created us to be.
It becomes unhealthy when we forget who we aren’t. It becomes unhealthy when we want credit for that which only God can do in us, through us, and for us.
It becomes more than unhealthy. It becomes spiritual treason to seek attention, affection, and adoration that belongs to God alone.
May we never be guilty of spiritual treason. May we always remember who God is, who we’re not, and who deserves all glory and honor and praise.
And for a little extra credit… (Well, I know this isn’t a class and I can’t really give any extra credit) but for a little extra investment in your own biblical literacy, set a timer for 15 minutes and look up and list all the verses you can find that talk about giving God glory. When you’re done, pray them back to the Lord.
Let me give you an example using Matthew 5:16, “
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
I might pray that to the Lord for myself and/or others who I know and love. So, I might pray…
“Lord, help me let my light shine before men in such a way that they may see my good works, and that they would glorify YOU, my Father in Heaven.”
Or
“Lord, help my husband, Donald, and my sons, Karl & DJ, let their light shine before men in such a way that they may see their good works, and glorify you Father in Heaven.”
Okay girls…start digging and let’s be careful to never commit spiritual treason. Let’s always point others to the reason for the hope that is in us. His name is Jesus and He deserves all glory, honor, and praise.
Amen?
Amen!
Eternally His,
Steph
Phil 3:7-15
Amen! Thank you for this Word from the Word. I so appreciate how God works in and speaks through you! Thank you for the reminder of this Truth and for the example you set as you live what you share.
Blessings from the farm,
jill
Praising Jesus for His Word that has treasures of truth we have yet to unearth! Missing you and so thankful God connected us Jill!
Wow! My husband and I were just talking about a few women who have recently risen to fame as motivational speakers, but don’t point to God in anything they say. If anything, the talk is all, “You are strong enough, you can be your own hero”, or they elevate themselves. It is so refreshing to hear the truth, and be reminded of the dangers of not giving God the glory He is due. Thank you!
Kayla
Kayla, that’s something that happens so often and it’s so sad. Few can handle fame. They are blessed with a platform that they could use to tell the masses about how amazing our God is and how people can be saved and have hope, but instead, they satisfy itching ears with empty words that make people feel good about who they are. Christian speakers often forget that there is no such thing as a “Christian star.” Jesus is the only Star of this eternal show. Fame is hard to handle but when Christians consistently remember who God is and who they aren’t, we’ll all be far less likely to commit spiritual treason.