The Danger of Taking God’s Glory for Ourselves

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Seeking Human Approval Over God’s Will

Herod’s life was marked by a relentless pursuit of legitimacy and approval from others, especially those in power, rather than a desire to do what is right and true. This “fear of man” led him to make decisions not out of conviction or righteousness, but to please the crowds and secure his own position, even at the cost of innocent lives. When our lives revolve around the opinions and praise of others, we risk losing sight of God’s calling and truth, and we become vulnerable to compromise and sin. The story of Herod warns us that living for human approval is a path that leads away from God’s purposes and ultimately to destruction. [19:59]

Acts 12:1-4 (ESV)
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to seek the approval of others rather than God, and what is one step you can take today to choose God’s will over human praise?

Day 2: Sin Grows and Brings Forth Death

Sin rarely appears in its full destructive force at the start; it begins small, often justified or overlooked, but if left unchecked, it grows and matures until it brings forth death—spiritually, relationally, and sometimes even physically. Herod’s pride and desire for glory began as a seed and, over time, led him to accept worship that belonged to God alone, resulting in his downfall. Scripture teaches that sin, when fully grown, always leads to death, and we must be vigilant to recognize and uproot it early, rather than allowing it to take root and bear its deadly fruit. [29:44]

James 1:14-15 (ESV)
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Reflection: What is one “small” sin or compromise you have justified in your life, and how can you bring it into the light and surrender it to God today before it grows?

Day 3: God Does Not Share His Glory

God alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, and He will not share His glory with anyone or anything else. When we take credit for what belongs to God or give our ultimate trust and devotion to something other than Him—whether it be success, people, or created things—we are engaging in idolatry. Herod’s acceptance of worship and refusal to give God the glory led to his judgment, reminding us that all glory must be directed to God alone, and that our lives are meant to reflect His greatness, not our own. [34:17]

Isaiah 42:6-8 (ESV)
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

Reflection: Where are you tempted to take credit or seek glory for yourself, or to give your trust to something other than God, and how can you intentionally redirect that glory to Him today?

Day 4: God’s Victory Is Certain, Even in Darkness

No matter how dark or hopeless a situation may seem, God’s victory is assured; He wins over evil, injustice, and even death itself. Throughout history, from the Exodus to the resurrection of Jesus, there have been moments when it appeared that evil would triumph, but God always emerges victorious. Even when we are in seasons where darkness seems to prevail, we are called to hold fast in faith, knowing that God’s light will break through and His purposes will be fulfilled in the end. [44:17]

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life or in the world that feels hopeless or dark—how can you choose to trust in God’s ultimate victory and act in faith today, even before you see the outcome?

Day 5: The Call to Repent and Surrender All Glory to Jesus

There is always time to turn from the things we have glorified—whether ourselves, others, or created things—and to surrender all glory to Jesus, trusting in His sufficiency and forgiveness. Even the belief that our sin is too great for God to forgive is a subtle way of stealing His glory, as it places our failure above His power to redeem. The invitation is to repent, to lay down every idol and every self-exalting thought, and to place our hope fully in Christ, who alone is worthy and who guarantees victory for all who trust in Him. [47:23]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: Is there any area where you have withheld glory from God—by clinging to guilt, pride, or misplaced trust—and how can you surrender that to Jesus today, trusting in His forgiveness and victory?

Sermon Summary

Acts 12 presents a powerful contrast between the fleeting glory of human rulers and the enduring victory of God. Herod Agrippa, a man obsessed with power and the approval of others, embodies the “fear of man”—a life lived in pursuit of legitimacy and praise from people rather than from God. His family legacy was one of political maneuvering, always seeking to keep the right people happy, even at the cost of justice and truth. This pursuit led Herod to acts of violence, including the execution of James and the arrest of Peter, not out of conviction, but to please influential groups.

The story reaches its climax when Herod, dressed in dazzling robes, receives the adulation of the people who declare him a god. Instead of deflecting this blasphemous praise, Herod embraces it, taking for himself the glory that belongs to God alone. In that moment, God’s judgment falls: Herod is struck down and dies a miserable death. This is a sobering reminder that sin, especially the sin of pride and self-glorification, grows slowly but inevitably leads to death. Sin is not just a list of bad actions; it is fundamentally a turning away from God, the source of life, and seeking worth, security, or identity elsewhere.

God’s refusal to share His glory is not about insecurity, but about truth and love. He alone is worthy, and to give glory to anything else—whether ourselves, others, or created things—is to embrace a lie that ultimately destroys us. The temptation to take or misdirect glory is subtle and pervasive, affecting not just the powerful but all of us, whether in our successes, our addictions, or even our despair. Even the belief that our sin is too great for God to forgive is a form of self-glorification, placing our failure above Christ’s sufficiency.

Yet, the story does not end with Herod’s death. Despite opposition, the word of God continues to spread and bear fruit. This is the pattern throughout Scripture: when it seems darkest, when evil appears to triumph, God’s victory breaks through. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof that God wins—not just in the grand sweep of history, but in the lives of all who turn from self and idols to trust in Him. No matter how deep the darkness, the light of Christ is victorious, and nothing can separate us from His love.

Key Takeaways

1. The Fear of Man Leads to Destruction Herod’s life was marked by a relentless pursuit of human approval, which led him to compromise truth and justice. The fear of man is a subtle but deadly trap, causing us to shape our lives around the expectations and praise of others rather than the will of God. This misplaced fear grows over time, distorting our identity and leading us away from true life. Ultimately, living for the approval of people rather than God brings spiritual death and emptiness. [19:59]
2. Sin Grows Slowly but Bears Deadly Fruit Sin rarely appears in its full destructive force at the outset; it begins small, often justified or rationalized, and is nurtured by neglect or encouragement from others. Over time, unchecked sin matures and brings forth death—spiritually, relationally, and sometimes even physically. The story of Herod is a warning that what we tolerate or excuse today can become the very thing that destroys us tomorrow. True repentance requires vigilance and a willingness to confront even the smallest seeds of sin in our hearts. [30:44]
3. God Does Not Share His Glory God’s glory—His unique worth, beauty, and authority—is not to be given to anyone or anything else. Whether we seek to take credit for ourselves, idolize others, or trust in created things for what only God can provide, we are misdirecting glory that belongs to Him alone. This is not just an ancient problem; it is a daily temptation in our successes, our desires, and even our struggles. Faithfulness means continually redirecting all honor and trust to God, refusing to let anything else occupy His rightful place. [35:31]
4. God’s Victory Is Certain, Even in Darkness Throughout history and in our own lives, there are moments when evil seems to prevail and God’s purposes appear thwarted. Yet, the pattern of Scripture is that God’s victory often emerges precisely when things look most hopeless. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate assurance that God wins, and that His light will overcome every darkness. Our hope is not in our ability to fix things, but in the unshakeable promise that God’s purposes will prevail. [42:41]
5. No One Is Beyond the Reach of God’s Grace One of the most insidious forms of pride is believing that our sin is too great for God to forgive. This is, in itself, a way of stealing God’s glory—placing our failure above His power and mercy. The cross of Christ is sufficient for every sin, and nothing can separate us from His love. Repentance is always possible, and God’s victory is available to all who turn to Him in faith, no matter how far they have wandered. [46:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:04] - Historical Background: The Herods
[19:59] - The Fear of Man and Herod’s Motives
[21:01] - Persecution of the Church
[22:16] - Conflict with Tyre and Sidon
[23:44] - Herod’s Display of Power
[24:42] - The People’s Flattery and Herod’s Pride
[26:01] - God’s Judgment on Herod
[27:44] - Paul’s Contrasting Response to Praise
[28:35] - The Unstoppable Spread of God’s Word
[29:30] - The Deadly Growth of Sin
[33:50] - God Does Not Share His Glory
[35:31] - Taking and Misplacing God’s Glory
[39:41] - God Wins: The Reversal of Fortunes
[42:41] - God’s Victory in the Darkest Moments
[45:36] - The Call to Repentance and Assurance of Grace
[48:58] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 12:1–24 (ESV) —
> About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
>
> ... (Read the full passage through verse 24, focusing especially on Herod’s actions, the church’s response, and the outcome.)

Observation Questions

What motivated Herod to persecute the church, including the execution of James and the arrest of Peter? How does the text describe his reasoning? [[21:01]]
When Herod gave his speech to the people of Tyre and Sidon, how did the people respond, and what was Herod’s reaction to their praise? [[24:42]]
What was the immediate consequence for Herod after he accepted the people’s worship and did not give glory to God? [[26:01]]
According to Acts 12:24, what happened to the word of God after Herod’s death? [[28:35]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon describe Herod’s pursuit of approval as “the fear of man,” and how did this shape his decisions and actions? [[19:59]]
The sermon says that sin “grows slowly but bears deadly fruit.” In what ways did this process play out in Herod’s life, and how might it play out in ours? [[30:44]]
The sermon highlights that God does not share His glory. Why is it so serious to take or misdirect glory that belongs to God, and what are some modern examples of this? [[35:31]]
The story ends with God’s victory despite Herod’s opposition. What does this teach us about God’s purposes and the apparent triumph of evil? [[42:41]]

Application Questions

Herod’s life was shaped by a desire for human approval. In what areas of your life do you find yourself most tempted to seek the praise or acceptance of others over God’s approval? What are some practical steps you could take to shift your focus? [[19:59]]
The sermon warns that sin often starts small and grows over time. Can you identify a “small” sin or compromise in your life that you tend to excuse or ignore? What would it look like to confront it honestly this week? [[30:44]]
The people praised Herod as a god, and he accepted it. Are there situations where you are tempted to take credit or glory that belongs to God? How can you practice redirecting praise to God in your daily life? [[35:31]]
The sermon mentions that even believing your sin is too great for God to forgive is a form of pride and self-glorification. Have you ever struggled to believe God’s grace is enough for you? How does this perspective need to change? [[46:49]]
God’s victory often comes in the darkest moments. Can you recall a time when things seemed hopeless, but God’s light broke through? How did that experience shape your faith? [[42:41]]
The sermon calls us to repentance and to give God the glory in every area of life. Is there a specific area where you need to “surrender your glory” to Jesus this week? What would repentance look like for you? [[45:36]]
The story ends with the word of God increasing and multiplying. What is one way you can participate in spreading God’s word or reflecting His glory in your community this month? [[28:35]]

Sermon Clips

So the first thing that we need to see here is that sin brings forth death. The Apostle James wrote about this in chapter 1 verse 14. He says that each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. And then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is fully grown, when it's all grown up, brings forth death. Sin brings forth death. [00:29:20] (33 seconds) #SinGrowsFromDesire

Why is it that sin always brings forth death? Well, sin is, at its root, a rejection of God, a rejection of his goodness, a rejection of his power, a rejection of his character, who he is. He is good. He is right. He is true. He is beautiful. And sin is a rejection of him in some way, shape, or form. But he is also the author and the sustainer of life. And in turning away from him and to something else in sin, we're choosing that thing over him, instead of him. Saying that this thing over here is more worthwhile, is more valuable, is more trustworthy, is more powerful than he is. But if God is the source of life, and we turn away from the source of life, what do we get? There's nothing else that you can get other than death. [00:32:30] (67 seconds) #SinRejectsLife

But to walk in repentance and faith in Jesus is to stop giving glory to things that don't deserve it. To stop giving glory to ourselves. To stop giving glory to the things of this world. Because they cannot save us. And instead, willingly, voluntarily, turning our back on all of those things and giving all the glory of our lives to Jesus and to Him alone. [00:38:23] (39 seconds) #NoGloryToOthers

God wins. God wins. At the start of chapter 12, where were we? Herod was in power. Peter was in jail. Now Peter gets, gets out of jail maybe, but through this story, Herod is at the peak, at the height of his power. He stands there in glory in blazing robes and the people praise him as a God. But Herod doesn't win. By the end of the chapter, Herod is dead. Peter is free. And the word of God that Herod sought to squash continues to spread and bear fruit. [00:39:47] (46 seconds) #LightEmergesFromDarkness

But in all of these stories, there's always that period of time where it looked like God was going to lose. There was always that period of time where it looked like the forces of evil would be victorious. But it is in that moment where it looks like the darkness has won, when Herod is standing glorified in his throne, it's in that moment that the light emerges victorious. [00:42:27] (43 seconds) #UltimateJusticeAndPeace

And one day, that victory will be revealed in the ultimate way. Because Jesus is coming again to bring the kingdom of heaven here on earth. And on that day there will be justice for those who have done wrong and justice for those who have been wronged by others. There will be healing for those who have been wounded, there will be peace for those who have lived in fear, there will be life for those who have died, there will be food for those who are hungry, there will be rest for the weary. God wins over all of these things. [00:44:29] (43 seconds) #HopeInGodsVictory

``But friends, when we say that, when we say that there is no way that God could ever forgive me, we are saying that the blood of Jesus is not enough. We are stealing God's glory for ourselves and saying that my sin is more powerful than He is. There is no power that is greater than He is. There is nothing in this world, not height, nor depth, nor our sin, nor other sin against us, that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ. [00:46:40] (41 seconds)

But for those who have done so, who have placed their hope in Him, who have given their glory to Him, God wins. And that is your hope. Not that you will fix it. Not that you will figure it out. Not that you will somehow be able to hold it together. Your hope, and my hope, and our hope, is that God wins in all things, and over all things, and through all things. And it is a sure, and it is a certain hope that no matter what the darkness of this world brings before you, the light of Jesus Christ will be victorious. [00:47:35] (40 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the consequence of allowing sin to grow?

How does God’s glory relate to human pride?

In what ways does God’s victory manifest today?