‘Our competence comes from God.’2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV
When we’ve succeeded in something or something goes well, our natural response is to feel proud of ourselves and maybe even to make sure we tell others about it. We might post about it on social media and wait for the likes to roll in. Or we might take on bigger and better things because we feel like nothing can stop us. It’s not bad to enjoy the feeling of success, but we need to avoid boasting to others and developing a prideful heart. Paul wrote: ‘Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.’ We need to be acknowledging that we can only do what we’re doing because of God. We’re only strong because He’s strong. We’re only able to do things because He gives us gifts and equips us. We’re only wise because He offers us perfect wisdom. We need to stop looking to other people to appreciate and validate our success, and instead turn to God and give Him all the glory. When we do something nice for others, or achieve something great, we need to lead other people to glorify God too. We shouldn’t be encouraging people to glorify us, but to glorify the One who leads, loves, and strengthens us. In Matthew, we’re told to ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:16 NIV). It’s not about us receiving the glory. The Bible actually tells us to glorify God in everything we do, even the mundane things. ‘So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV). So let’s glorify Him today.
