Bringing Glory to God

[Momo-P]

This got brought up in my other topic, so I'm just gonna make another thread because now it's bothering me.

How is it possible to bring glory to God in all that you do? Gonna dye your hair? How is that glorifying God? Going to eat a piece of cake? How is that glorifying God? "I'm eating this cake for the glory of God!"...well that's nice, but I can't even see how that works. Not to mention there are plenty of shows, movies, what have you that I would almost feel bad for saying "I'm watching this for the glory of God!"

Ya. Watching Die Hard is for the glory of God. Doesn't really add up does it? If anything it almost seems that you can't do anything without it being Christian related or it's not for the glory of God.

So can anyone give me some answers to this? I asked my mom, but...eh. Didn't really help much. Then again it would've probably helped a normal person, but I've got medical issues when it comes to worrying. ._.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

You can't eat a piece of cake because the cake is a lie. D:

Anyway, I think that there are simply some things that can't be done in the glory of God. I mean... nobody really glorifies God by using the toilet. (If you do then you are weird) We're supposed to glorify God to the best of our ability, but if some things are at a "neutral" stance, then it's kind of hard to do that, I think.

[mathgrant]

Hey, God gave us the ability to defecate, right? I mean, we might die or something if we don't. Perhaps keeping ourselves alive gives glory to God.

[Debitt]

I think that, yeah, while eating a piece of cake or dying my hair isn't the same as volunteering with my school's Christian group on the 'bringing glory to God'-o'-meter, it's not like doing those activities should be something we worry about. After all, God knows whether your heart's in the right place or not, regardless of what you're doing at that immediate moment. He knows we're human, but I'm sure He knows that you want to do your best to follow Him, too.

[meboeck]

People throw around this verse a lot without putting it in context. The verse is 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." The passage around this is not actually talking about what you do by yourself, but socially. It's basically saying to be aware of your social surroundings and how your actions might spiritually affect other people. When Paul talks about eating and drinking, he is talking about how he eats kosher food when he's with Jews but non-kosher food when he's with gentiles because that's what is glorifying to God in that social situation. The end of the passage says, "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

So don't worry about your motives for eating that cake, because I really don't think that's what the passage is talking about.

[mitsuki lover]

It's an attitude of the heart and mind.

[RidleyofZebes]

People throw around this verse a lot without putting it in context. The verse is 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." The passage around this is not actually talking about what you do by yourself, but socially. It's basically saying to be aware of your social surroundings and how your actions might spiritually affect other people. When Paul talks about eating and drinking, he is talking about how he eats kosher food when he's with Jews but non-kosher food when he's with gentiles because that's what is glorifying to God in that social situation. The end of the passage says, "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

So don't worry about your motives for eating that cake, because I really don't think that's what the passage is talking about.

Splendid! You've hit the nail right on the head!

[termyt]

On the contrary, your use of the toilet can indeed glorify God or detract from Him. As Meboeck implied, as a Christian, everything you do reflects on your faith and the God you put your faith in. To glorify God, you must properly represent Him to everyone at all times.

In the toilet, that could mean cleaning up after yourself. Don't leave a mess behind and if you use up the last of a roll, then replace it with a new one.

When you eat cake, are you eating more than what would be socially considered "your share?" Don’t eat half the cake before anyone else even has a taste. Cake is best shared, anyways. Are you drowning sorrows or are you thankful for the gift of cake and the person nice enough to bake it for you (or the ability to make one yourself)?

After all,

It's an attitude of the heart and mind.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Termyt...

I'm never going to think the same way again... >_> Good job. You actually managed to creep me out yet at the same time open my eyes to the light.

[USSRGirl]

>.O Um... well... *still staring at Termyt's post* ... eh...

I believe that glorifying God comes as a result of being born again as a new creation. I mean, when we're born the first time we begin to grow to resemble the features of our parents over time, and so in being born again we grow in attitude/heart/spirit to resemble the characteristics of our heavenly Father. I think that what people see when we talk about someone we admire for "bringing glory to God" is the Spirit working in that person.

Don't get me wrong, there are certain situations where we need to decide firstly if the choice in question is sin/against God's teachings/something a Christian really shouldn't be doing (well, duh...), secondly if it's something that will affect us negatively (if your struggle with lust, don't watch a movie promoting it that may not tempt a more mature Christian but might tempt you), thirdly if it will affect the people around you negatively (such as going to see a movie that you know you can handle, but you're new Christian friends might take the wrong way).

But I do not think our actions "bring" glory to God. I think that's kinda misunderstood sometimes and turns into the humanistic idea of "okay, if I go unplug the toilet this 12 glory points towards God." Hey, buddhists can use a plunger just as good as you. God has more than enough glory, and does not *need* you to go out and do stuff for Him. It's nice if you do, but I believe it ultimately comes down to walking in Jesus, doing as the Holy Spirit leads you to do, and in so showing people God's glory. I think when we get into the "book of manners" style attitudes we lose the bigger picture.

[Momo-P]

Thanks for the replies guys, it really helped a lot! Though...that does leave one last question. If we're not suppose to do anything for ourselves, then is it wrong to watch stuff for entertainment? After all, we're doing it to make ourselves happy and have fun, there is no "I'm watching this for God" about it...

EDIT: Hmm, since this was troubling me I obviously prayed over it and I think I got my own answer anyways. Eccl 2:24 really seems to sum it all up. Everything I have here doesn't matter in the end, only God matters and I put Him above everything else. Since I do put God first though, to at least enjoy myself while living doesn't appear to be a sin.

If I misunderstood what that whole area means though, someone can please correct me. ^^;

[meboeck]

I think you hit the nail on the head there. I'm glad you were able to find an answer and have more peace about this.

[termyt]

EDIT: Hmm, since this was troubling me I obviously prayed over it and I think I got my own answer anyways. Eccl 2:24 really seems to sum it all up. Everything I have here doesn't matter in the end, only God matters and I put Him above everything else. Since I do put God first though, to at least enjoy myself while living doesn't appear to be a sin.

Indeed.
It is not sinful to simply enjoy yourself. Doing things you enjoy is another gift from God. It is a blessing to not have to toil all day to just survive. Thank God for the things that enterain you.