Honestly answering the following questions yes or no after reading the scripture verse(s) given, can help you decide whether something is right or wrong, whether you should or should not do it, and help you to develop biblical convictions regarding specific issues that you encounter in your Christian life.
Giving Glory To GodFrom the old Webster's Dictionary:
1. To praise; to magnify and honor in worship; to ascribe honor to, in thought or words. (Psalm 86:9) God is glorified, when such his excellency, above all things, is with due admiration acknowledged. 2. To make glorious; to exalt to glory, or to celestial happiness. Whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8). The God of our fathers hath glorified his son Jesus. (Acts 3).
3. To praise; to honor; to extol. Whomsoever they find to be most licentious of life--him they set up and glorify.
4. To procure honor or praise to.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).The Heavens Declare:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (Psalm 19:1).The Seraphim Declare:
"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:1-3).
"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle" (Exodus 33:11). "And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him" (Exodus 34:29). (When Moses had face to face fellowship with God, he was glorifying God and the glory of God shone upon him.) (Fellowship is often more important than performance!)Through Worship:
"So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (II Chronicles 5:14). [This was at the completion of the building of the temple by Solomon]. "Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel" (Psalm 22:23).Through LORDSHIP:
"All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name" (Psalm 86:9).
"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11).Through Praise:
1. When we accept Jesus as Lord.
2. When we lead others to accept Jesus as Lord.
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23). "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore" (Psalm 86:12).Through Thanksgiving:
"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (II Corinthians 4:15). "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God" (Luke 17:15). (The one leper stopped to give Jesus thanks for the healing.)Through Righteousness:
"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11).Through Humility
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14). "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness" (Jeremiah 13:15-16).Through Claiming the promises of God:
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (II Corinthians 1:20). "He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20).Through Receiving one another:
"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:7).Through Suffering as a Believer:
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (I Peter 4:16).Through Faithfulness unto death:
"This spake he, signifying by what death he [Peter] should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me" (John 21:19). "But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55).Through Receiving Healing:
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).
"When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (John 11:4). "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:14).Through Calling upon the Lord for help.
"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake" (Psalm 79:9). "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).Through The Witness Of Good Works:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (I Peter 2:12).Through Physical Discipline:
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Corinthians 6:20). "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).Through Giving:
"Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men" (II Corinthians 9:13).Through Bearing Fruit:
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).Through Believing Jesus:
1. Sharing your faith with others and winning others to Christ. "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:2-3). 2. Producing the fruit of the Spirit. Gal 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).
"Jesus saith unto her [Martha], Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40).
Examples Of Not Giving Glory
2. "And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken" (I Samuel 4:21-22).
3. "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost" (Acts 12:21-23).
4. "At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws" (Daniel 4:29-33). (All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.) (He lived in the wilderness for seven years as a wild animal. We either humble ourselves or become humiliated.)
HOWEVER: He humbled himself and came to glorify God. "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Daniel 4:34-37).
Notice the words that Nebuchadnezzar used:
1 Thess. 5:17—Pray without ceasing.1. He blessed the most High.When He glorified God, the glory of God returned to him.
2. He praised and honored him.
3. He praised and extolled and honored the King of heaven.
1. His understanding returned to him.
2. His reason returned to him.
3. The glory of his kingdom was restored.
4. His honor and brightness was restored.
5. He counselors sought him out.
6. His kingdom was established.
7. Excellent majesty was added.
James 1:5—If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
| Will God get the glory? | 1 Cor. 10:31—Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. | |||||
| Will it please God? | 1 Thessalonians 2:4—But as we were allowed of God to be put in
trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men,
but God, which trieth our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 4:1—Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. |
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| Will it help me spiritually? | 1 Corinthians 14:26—How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. | |||||
| Will I be a good steward of God's possessions? | 1 Corinthians 4:2—Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. | |||||
| Can I do it as unto the Lord? | Colossians 3:23—And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; | |||||
| Can I be a good testimony? | 1 Peter 3:15—But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. | |||||
| What effect will it have on others? | Romans 14:21—It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. | |||||
| Is it "best" for me? | 1 Corinthians 6:12—All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. | |||||
| Can I do it in Jesus name? | Colossians 3:17—And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. | |||||
| Will I be controlled by it? | 1 Corinthians 6:12—All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. | |||||
| Is it of lasting value? | 1 Thessalonians 5:21—Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. | |||||
| Would it be the will of God for me? | 1 John 2:15-17—Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. | |||||
| Would it give the appearance of evil? | 1 Thessalonians 5:22—Abstain from all appearance of evil. | |||||
| Do I have any doubt about doing it? | Romans 14:22-23—Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. | |||||
| Would it grieve or quench the Holy Spirit? | Ephesians 4:30—And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby
ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 1 Thessalonians 5:19—Quench not the Spirit. |
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| Can I thank God for it? | Ephesians 5:20—Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; | |||||
| Would I have to lie to cover it up? | Hebrews 13:18—Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. | |||||
| Will I be with wrong companions? | 1 Corinthians 15:33—Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. | |||||
| Will it be the right use of my body? | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20—What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. | |||||
| What will I reap from it in latter life? | Galatians 6:7-8—Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. | |||||
| Am I willling to face it in judgment before God? | Romans 14:10-12—But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. |
1 Corinthians 10
| 1 |
Moreover,
brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our
fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
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| 2 |
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
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| 3 |
And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
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| 4 |
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
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| 5 |
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
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| 6 |
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
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| 7 |
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
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| 8 |
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
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| 9 |
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
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| 10 |
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
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| 11 |
Now
all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
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| 12 |
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
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| 13 |
There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it.
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| 14 |
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
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| 15 |
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
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| 16 |
The
cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ?
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| 17 |
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
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| 18 |
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
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| 19 |
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
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| 20 |
But
I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to
devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship
with devils.
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| 21 |
Ye
cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be
partakers of the Lord"s table, and of the table of devils.
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| 22 |
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
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| 23 |
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
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| 24 |
Let no man seek his own, but every man another"s wealth.
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| 25 |
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
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| 26 |
For the earth is the Lord"s, and the fulness thereof.
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| 27 |
If
any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to
go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience
sake.
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| 28 |
But
if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat
not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth
is the Lord"s, and the fulness thereof:
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| 29 |
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man"s conscience?
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| 30 |
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
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| 31 |
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
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| 32 |
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
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| 33 |
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
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Do All to the Glory of GodIf you were to stand before God right now and He were to ask you: “Why should I let you into my heaven?” What would you say?Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31In order to preserve health, temperance in all things is necessary–temperance in labor, temperance in eating and drinking. Our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform . . . that those who love purity and holiness may know how to use with discretion the good things He has provided for them, and that by exercising temperance in daily life they may be sanctified through the truth. Great care should be taken to form right habits of eating and drinking. The food eaten should be that which will make the best blood. The delicate organs of digestion should be respected. God requires us, by being temperate in all things, to act our part toward keeping ourselves in health. . . . The spiritual experience is greatly affected by the way in which the stomach is treated. Eating and drinking in accordance with the laws of health promote virtuous actions. Principle should rule instead of appetite or fancy. . . . It means much to be true to God. He has claims upon all who are engaged in His service. He desires that mind and body be preserved in the best condition of health, every power and endowment under the divine control, and as vigorous as careful, strictly temperate habits can make them. . . . Temperance in eating, drinking, sleeping, and dressing is one of the grand principles of the religious life. Truth brought into the sanctuary of the soul will guide in the treatment of the body. The better you observe the laws of health, the more clearly can you discern temptations, and resist them, and the more clearly can you discern the value of eternal things. May the Lord help you to make the most of your present opportunities and privileges, that you may daily gain new victories, and finally enter the city of God, as those who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) |
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