Has anyone ever called you a “glory hog”? Maybe not out loud, but deep down, you know the feeling. You finish something great in life, and when the praise comes, you soak it in. You keep it. You hold on to it like it’s yours to own.
But here’s the problem with being a glory hog: our glory always fades. It never lasts. Glory hogs end up hungry, unsatisfied, and chasing the next moment to feel important.
In Acts 12:19-24, we read about a man named Herod. He lived for himself. Every decision he made was about how to look better, more powerful, and more impressive. When he realized that killing Christians made him more popular, he leaned into it. He had James killed and arrested Peter—all to boost his image.
But Herod’s glory didn’t last. At one point, he gave a public speech, and the crowd shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instead of redirecting the praise to the Lord, he hogged it. He believed it. He craved it. And immediately, God struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. Herod’s glory faded, but God’s Word continued to spread and flourish.
When we chase our own glory, it feels good in the moment—but it always ends the same way:
- Pride: We start thinking we’re the source of our own success.
- Applause: We crave more recognition and validation.
- Emptiness: The more we get, the less satisfied we feel.
- Death: In the end, self-glory dies with us.
The Bible puts it this way:
“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25)
Our self-glory fades, but God’s glory remains.
If you want to stop being a glory hog, you need to redirect the praise.
If Herod shows us what not to do, John the Baptist shows us the better way. At one point, John had the biggest ministry around—people came from everywhere to hear him preach. But when Jesus showed up and people started following Him instead, John’s response was simple:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
John knew that the spotlight didn’t belong to him. It belonged to Jesus. Instead of being a glory hog, John redirected the praise.
So how do we live this out today—in our work, our relationships, our families, and our faith?
- Redirect the praise. When people applaud your success, point them to God. A simple “God has been so good to me” shifts the focus.
- Give God all the glory, not just some. Don’t just give God an honorable mention. Make Him the headline.
- Stay humble. Remember you’re the creation, not the Creator. Every talent, opportunity, and breath comes from Him.
- Live for the eternal, not the temporary. Your achievements will fade, but God’s glory lasts forever.
The heart check:
At the end of the day, this is a heart issue. Who gets the glory in your life? You—or God?
Herod’s story warns us that self-glory ends in emptiness and death. John’s story shows us that giving God glory brings joy, purpose, and eternal life.
Glory hogs fade, but God’s glory remains.
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