How is "glory" different from "ego"?

[The Righterzpen]

Billions of people suffering for ANY slapping on the back and praise...

like I can get and love the idea of salvation for the sake of others, a selfless sacrifice,
what I can't love is doing it for praise.

for many believers what they want is Jesus telling them "well done my good and faithful servant", they want praise.
I don't get that at all.
I desire something more intimate than corporate praise and worship.

So what is that "intimate something" that you're really looking for? Looks to me that you don't even see your own sin for what it is.

 

[Jamdoc]

So what is that "intimate something" that you're really looking for? Looks to me that you don't even see your own sin for what it is.

Sin, the cursed world and death and hell and suffering are reasons I wish I didn't even exist.

To look forward to... "it was all for praise" makes me want to still not exist.
I want to be able to relate to God personally, but a desire for praise to the point of accepting billions of people suffering for it is an unfathomable chasm I can't relate to.
I don't desire Jesus suffering for my sake, and if it were my choice I wouldn't exist, therefore I wouldn't have sinned, and therefore Jesus wouldn't have suffered for that sin. Let that sink in.
I would rather not exist, if it spared Jesus suffering.

Forgiveness of sin is removing 1 negative out of many, and I don't see praise as a positive making it worth all the negatives.
It's the end goal, the heart, the motivation, that matters., and praise is just not something I see such value in as to be worth all the sin, death, suffering, and the condemnation of so many... to get that praise.

 

[The Righterzpen]

Sin, the cursed world and death and hell and suffering are reasons I wish I didn't even exist.

To look forward to... "it was all for praise" makes me want to still not exist.
I want to be able to relate to God personally, but a desire for praise to the point of accepting billions of people suffering for it is an unfathomable chasm I can't relate to.
I don't desire Jesus suffering for my sake, and if it were my choice I wouldn't exist, therefore I wouldn't have sinned, and therefore Jesus wouldn't have suffered for that sin. Let that sink in.
I would rather not exist, if it spared Jesus suffering.

Forgiveness of sin is removing 1 negative out of many, and I don't see praise as a positive making it worth all the negatives.
It's the end goal, the heart, the motivation, that matters., and praise is just not something I see such value in as to be worth all the sin, death, suffering, and the condemnation of so many... to get that praise.

Well, maybe Jesus didn't actually suffer for your sin and you are simply another "vessel fitted for destruction". (Romans 9:22) I don't know what your end will be; I'm not omniscient.

I'm grateful though that God provided atonement for some; which means at least I got a chance of "winning" the greatest lottery ever known to the universe! Scripture says that from the foundation of the world; God preordained and elected those who'd be the recipients of redemption. He is the "author and finisher of their faith". And after 30 years of being convicted for my sin, knowing I needed redemption, praying for that; as well as praying for wisdom, perseverance and strength; I see evidence in my life that I have been redeemed. He didn't have to pay that price and I know I can't! So yes, I'm grateful Jesus suffered for my sin.

There aint no other options; so ...... "Let that sink in."

And.... all the wishing you never existed is not going to change the reality that you do.
So now.... what you going to do about that? (Other than throw tantrums about how you think God is a narcissist?)
Seeing how "It's the motivation that matters". (How is it you assume you know the heart of God?)

Again, He aint the one with the ego problem here.

 

[Jamdoc]

Well, maybe Jesus didn't actually suffer for your sin and you are simply another "vessel fitted for destruction". (Romans 9:22) I don't know what your end will be; I'm not omniscient.

I'm grateful though that God provided atonement for some; which means at least I got a chance of "winning" the greatest lottery ever known to the universe! Scripture says that from the foundation of the world; God preordained and elected those who'd be the recipients of redemption. He is the "author and finisher of their faith". And after 30 years of being convicted for my sin, knowing I needed redemption, praying for that; as well as praying for wisdom, perseverance and strength; I see evidence in my life that I have been redeemed. He didn't have to pay that price and I know I can't! So yes, I'm grateful Jesus suffered for my sin.

There aint no other options; so ...... "Let that sink in."

And.... all the wishing you never existed is not going to change the reality that you do.
So now.... what you going to do about that? (Other than throw tantrums about how you think God is a narcissist?)
Seeing how "It's the motivation that matters". (How is it you assume you know the heart of God?)

Again, He aint the one with the ego problem here.

Arguing ad hom is not a good way to go about this, for starters.

and secondly, I am going by written revelation and well, preaching on that written revelation.
Doing all this for praise, is just not something I can see value in of itself. Praise is .. I guess nice.. if it didn't cost anything, but here the price paid for praise is exorbitant.

 

[The Righterzpen]

Arguing ad hom is not a good way to go about this, for starters.

and secondly, I am going by written revelation and well, preaching on that written revelation.
Doing all this for praise, is just not something I can see value in of itself. Praise is .. I guess nice.. if it didn't cost anything, but here the price paid for praise is exorbitant.

You're right! "The price paid for praise is exorbitant."

I think Jesus already knows that! (Seeing how he's the one who paid it!)

And with that: I close with:

 

[Jamdoc]

You're right! "The price paid for praise is exorbitant."

I think Jesus already knows that! (Seeing how he's the one who paid it!)

And with that: I close with:

He paid for it for the elect, but for billions of other people the price of God's plan which included the fall, is tremendous. It has casualties among animals who didn't even sin and bear no responsibility for it they suffer for it anyway. ALL of creation groans.....
and before it all, God weighed out the pros and cons of this plan, to let creation fall, and then redeem it... for praise for Himself and decided that people singing to Him was worth it?

That's a lot of suffering to just dismiss over some hymns sung by amateurs.

 

[The Righterzpen]

He paid for it for the elect, but for billions of other people the price of God's plan which included the fall, is tremendous. It has casualties among animals who didn't even sin and bear no responsibility for it they suffer for it anyway. ALL of creation groans.....
and before it all, God weighed out the pros and cons of this plan, to let creation fall, and then redeem it... for praise for Himself and decided that people singing to Him was worth it?

That's a lot of suffering to just dismiss over some hymns sung by amateurs.

Nothing in Scripture says anything other than rebellious humans and fallen angels are going to be accountable for their sin.

There comes a new heavens and new earth; wherein dwells righteousness. There's no death, no sin and no ability to EVER be corrupted again!

AMEN!


The whole cosmos is going to be recreated incorruptible! Thus if God can raise my body to incorruption in the new earth; He can certainly raise my cat and my dog too! Nothing in Scripture says that individual animals won't be raised also. And I'll see all the pets maybe you ever had. Don't know if you'll be there; but THEY'LL be there!

A whole resurrected cosmos filled with light and life! "The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows forth His handiwork." The rocks even cry out! (So what's wrong with you?)

I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

Ooop, "there it is" - Now I'm on a praise song roll!

And with the prairies I am calling out Your name!

 

[Jamdoc]

Nothing in Scripture says anything other than rebellious humans and fallen angels are going to be accountable for their sin.

There comes a new heavens and new earth; wherein dwells righteousness. There's no death, no sin and no ability to EVER be corrupted again!

AMEN!


The whole cosmos is going to be recreated incorruptible! Thus if God can raise my body to incorruption in the new earth; He can certainly raise my cat and my dog too! Nothing in Scripture says that individual animals won't be raised also. And I'll see all the pets maybe you ever had. Don't know if you'll be there; but THEY'LL be there!

A whole resurrected cosmos filled with light and life! "The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows forth His handiwork." The rocks even cry out! (So what's wrong with you?)

I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

Ooop, "there it is" - Now I'm on a praise song roll!

And with the prairies I am calling out Your name!

Nothing in scripture says anything about resurrection of animals. Just that there will be animals on the New Earth.
as far as we know when an animal dies, they're just gone.

and so you know, it is against the forum's rules to call out people as not saved/not Christian, unless they profess themselves that they are not.

So please stop with that. It doesn't help at all.

This is an honest discussion of the heart of God/His motivation behind salvation. It was John Piper who began my questioning of this motivation, because he outright said that God didn't go to the cross for you, or me, or any other sinner, but that God went to the cross for His own glory.

Prior to that? as far as I knew God went to the cross out of selfless love for others. Something I can love and admire and aspire to.
Going to the cross for your own glory/praise? It's love like loving a narcissist that doesn't really care about you back, they love themselves more.

THAT Is what I want shaken.
Either that or redefining glory as maybe I misunderstand the word, and conflate it with ego/esteem/reputation/praise mistakenly.

to that end an earlier poster did say taht the hebrew word translated to glory doesn't really mean the same things as the English word "glory" connotates, which IS selfish vanity.

 

[The Righterzpen]

Nothing in scripture says anything about resurrection of animals. Just that there will be animals on the New Earth.
as far as we know when an animal dies, they're just gone.

"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:28)

The "creature" here is the creation; which yes includes plants and animals. Why would God make "new" animals when He can just raise the one's that were already here. That's the point of "resurrection" and why the creature praises God for its deliverance!

and so you know, it is against the forum's rules to call out people as not saved/not Christian, unless they profess themselves that they are not.

So please stop with that. It doesn't help at all.

I'm not telling you're not saved. All I'm saying; is I'm not assuming you are either. That's above my pay grade, because I'm not omniscient. But if you got a problem with God getting glory; why is that? He spoke this cosmos into existence. (Not something you can do!) So why do you have a problem with praising the Entity that actually made you? Nothing else God made (other than disobedient humans and fallen angels) has a problem praising Him.

This is an honest discussion of the heart of God/His motivation behind salvation. It was John Piper who began my questioning of this motivation, because he outright said that God didn't go to the cross for you, or me, or any other sinner, but that God went to the cross for His own glory.

And several people before myself have given you an honest (and accurate) answer as to what "the weight" of "glory" means. You are making an assumption about God's motives. Which you don't have a clue, because you are not omniscient. (Can you admit that? There are things you don't understand about God?)

"Glory" is the weightiness of His character. Not a selfish endeavor for the empty praise of sinful men. Is there some reason (other than your own sin) that you can't see that?

John Piper is right; just you don't understand what Piper meant! Christ didn't go to the cross for the GAIN of his own glory. He went to the cross because he is the POSSESSOR of His own glory!

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I HAD with thee before the world was." (John 17:5)

Prior to that? as far as I knew God went to the cross out of selfless love for others. Something I can love and admire and aspire to.
Going to the cross for your own glory/praise? It's love like loving a narcissist that doesn't really care about you back, they love themselves more.

So... let me get this strait; because you got mixed up on what the word "glory" actually means?

And this next statement you made is where your ego has gone off the rails: "Something I can love and admire and aspire to."

Something you think God somehow wants or needs from you? I'm going to tell you a little secret here. Aint NOTHING....ANY... of us got that God wants or needs! All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Do you know what that phrase "filthy rags" means? It means "menstrual pad". Any good work you think you have to offer to God, is like a menstrual pad! That's what that verse means.

Kind of gross huh. Yeah, there's some real zingers that come out of God's mouth written in Scripture.

And that's the problem with humanity. (Speaking of narcissism!) "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numbers 23:19 No need to repent for One who does not sin!

THAT Is what I want shaken.
Either that or redefining glory as maybe I misunderstand the word, and conflate it with ego/esteem/reputation/praise mistakenly.

You don't think.... you misunderstood the word? Your profile says you're 44 years old and that you're "watching and praying always". And you didn't think to ask God what does "Your glory" actually mean? And you didn't think to look it up on line either?

Yet you are continuously insisted God is the narcissist.

to that end an earlier poster did say taht the hebrew word translated to glory doesn't really mean the same things as the English word "glory" connotates, which IS selfish vanity.

Oxford dictionary: Glory
Noun:
1. High renown or honor won by notable achievement.
2. magnificence or great beauty.
3. praise, worship and thanksgiving offered to a diety
Verb:
to take great pride or pleasure in

 

[Jamdoc]

"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:28)

The "creature" here is the creation; which yes includes plants and animals. Why would God make "new" animals when He can just raise the one's that were already here. That's the point of "resurrection" and why the creature praises God for its deliverance!

I'm not telling you're not saved. All I'm saying; is I'm not assuming you are either. That's above my pay grade, because I'm not omniscient. But if you got a problem with God getting glory; why is that? He spoke this cosmos into existence. (Not something you can do!) So why do you have a problem with praising the Entity that actually made you? Nothing else God made (other than disobedient humans and fallen angels) has a problem praising Him.

Because if the reason He did everything is to be praised that's selfish, the creature is to be selfless so that God can be selfish, can you understand how hypocritical that comes across?

And several people before myself have given you an honest (and accurate) answer as to what "the weight" of "glory" means. You are making an assumption about God's motives. Which you don't have a clue, because you are not omniscient. (Can you admit that? There are things you don't understand about God?)

Of course I don't, that's why I ask a question about it.

"Glory" is the weightiness of His character. Not a selfish endeavor for the empty praise of sinful men. Is there some reason (other than your own sin) that you can't see that?

Because I don't understand what is really meant by "weightiness" in this context, I can "understand" selfish pursuits for fame and reputation, even if I find it vain. Humans pursue glory and Jesus Himself went into that in the Sermon on the Mount about how vain it was.

John Piper is right; just you don't understand what Piper meant! Christ didn't go to the cross for the GAIN of his own glory. He went to the cross because he is the POSSESSOR of His own glory!

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I HAD with thee before the world was." (John 17:5)

So... let me get this strait; because you got mixed up on what the word "glory" actually means?

And this next statement you made is where your ego has gone off the rails: "Something I can love and admire and aspire to."

Something you think God somehow wants or needs from you? I'm going to tell you a little secret here. Aint NOTHING....ANY... of us got that God wants or needs! All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Do you know what that phrase "filthy rags" means? It means "menstrual pad". Any good work you think you have to offer to God, is like a menstrual pad! That's what that verse means.

Yes I'm aware of that. I'm aware that I can never be "good enough" and know that only through substitutionary atonement can I be covered. But that was said about our "righteousness" not our praise,

Kind of gross huh. Yeah, there's some real zingers that come out of God's mouth written in Scripture.

And that's the problem with humanity. (Speaking of narcissism!) "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numbers 23:19 No need to repent for One who does not sin!

You don't think.... you misunderstood the word? Your profile says you're 44 years old and that you're "watching and praying always". And you didn't think to ask God what does "Your glory" actually mean? And you didn't think to look it up on line either?

I did, over and over and over. For over a year.

Yet you are continuously insisted God is the narcissist.

Oxford dictionary: Glory
Noun:
1. High renown or honor won by notable achievement.
2. magnificence or great beauty.
3. praise, worship and thanksgiving offered to a diety
Verb:
to take great pride or pleasure in

yes I did look up that definition
definitions 1 and 3 stood out as the "narcissist" ones.

 

[The Righterzpen]

Because if the reason He did everything is to be praised that's selfish, the creature is to be selfless so that God can be selfish, can you understand how hypocritical that comes across?

Again, you’re assuming you know God’s motives to be evil. Yet there is no sin in God; thus you are wrong and, seems to me that you just don’t want to admit it.

Of course I don't, that's why I ask a question about it.

You admit to not understanding God and ask a question that several people (myself included) have answered you.

Yet you continue to insist that your interpretation is correct. And THAT is called “having an ego problem”.

At this point, a genuine believer in Christ would be repenting and turning from their error.

Because I don't understand what is really meant by "weightiness" in this context, I can "understand" selfish pursuits for fame and reputation, even if I find it vain. Humans pursue glory and Jesus Himself went into that in the Sermon on the Mount about how vain it was.

So, thus your conclusion is that God is vain. And you conclude this for your lack of ability to see beyond your own perception.

Either that or you are saying that you lack the intellectual capacity to understand… although that doesn’t seem likely because you don’t communicate as someone who is intellectually disabled.

Thus I conclude your problem is simply the sin of pride.

Yes I'm aware of that. I'm aware that I can never be "good enough" and know that only through substitutionary atonement can I be covered. But that was said about our "righteousness" not our praise,

What was said about our righteousness, not our praise? That our praise could never be good enough?

Praise is an expression of gratitude. Which you don’t appear to have any.

I did, over and over and over. For over a year.

You asked God over and over for more than a year what Scripture means by God’s glory; and the conclusion you settled on is that God is arrogant and selfish.

yes I did look up that definition
definitions 1 and 3 stood out as the "narcissist" ones.

Narcissists seek honor for things they never achieved; or achieved fraudulently.

God has never lied, nor has He ever not accomplished what He set in His mind to do.

And someone who is angry about God’s accomplishments, is simply angry because he is not God.



You need to repent.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Nothing in scripture says anything about resurrection of animals. Just that there will be animals on the New Earth.
as far as we know when an animal dies, they're just gone.

and so you know, it is against the forum's rules to call out people as not saved/not Christian, unless they profess themselves that they are not.

So please stop with that. It doesn't help at all.

This is an honest discussion of the heart of God/His motivation behind salvation. It was John Piper who began my questioning of this motivation, because he outright said that God didn't go to the cross for you, or me, or any other sinner, but that God went to the cross for His own glory.

Prior to that? as far as I knew God went to the cross out of selfless love for others. Something I can love and admire and aspire to.
Going to the cross for your own glory/praise? It's love like loving a narcissist that doesn't really care about you back, they love themselves more.

THAT Is what I want shaken.
Either that or redefining glory as maybe I misunderstand the word, and conflate it with ego/esteem/reputation/praise mistakenly.

to that end an earlier poster did say taht the hebrew word translated to glory doesn't really mean the same things as the English word "glory" connotates, which IS selfish vanity.

Fortunately, neither you nor I have to allow one single voice within the faith to act as the Supreme Authority. So, if John Piper seems wrong on some point, just take an Exacto Knife to his Reformed Baptist interpretive assumption and cut it away. It's not like you have to kowtow to his teaching.

 

[Jamdoc]

Again, you’re assuming you know God’s motives to be evil. Yet there is no sin in God; thus you are wrong and, seems to me that you just don’t want to admit it.

Because scripture does tend to say that God did things for His own glory and His own name not our sake.
IE Ezekiel 36, God brings Israel back into the land not for their sake but for His own name.

You admit to not understanding God and ask a question that several people (myself included) have answered you.

Yet you continue to insist that your interpretation is correct. And THAT is called “having an ego problem”.

Because I do not understand the alternate definition.

At this point, a genuine believer in Christ would be repenting and turning from their error.

So, thus your conclusion is that God is vain. And you conclude this for your lack of ability to see beyond your own perception.

Either that or you are saying that you lack the intellectual capacity to understand… although that doesn’t seem likely because you don’t communicate as someone who is intellectually disabled.

I am autistic, and while high functioning, it does affect communication primarily. So there's a lot of things with people I just do not "get"

Seeking "glory" is something I only "understand" from an academic point of view. I cannot empathize with a desire for fame or to be fawned over. I just know that other people do. I myself prefer to remain relatively anonymous
being that I'm used to being hated, I'd settle for just not being hated, I don't desire outpouring of praise and do not understand anyone else's desire for it.

What was said about our righteousness, not our praise? That our praise could never be good enough?

the Isaiah passage, it was about our attempts to be self righteous.

Isaiah has several passages in which it's shown that in Israel, instead of trying to live according to the law they were given, they just violated the law and then used the sacrificial system to be forgiven of it, they abused that system and God eventually said their sacrifices didn't please Him, that they were coming at it from a wrong heart, instead of obedience, they intentionally disobeyed and thought to use sacrifice as a license to sin.

Praise is an expression of gratitude. Which you don’t appear to have any.

Hard to be thankful when the first thought is "I wish I'd never been born"

You asked God over and over for more than a year what Scripture means by God’s glory; and the conclusion you settled on is that God is arrogant and selfish.

Well when people like John Piper talk about God doing it for Himself and not you, me, any other person, His entire creation as a whole, etc, and parts of scripture seem to back it up..

Like I'd get and admire selfless sacrifice in order to redeem your creation that fell, to restore Eden, or to redeem people for their sake to not suffer in Hell, those are noble.

what I couldn't get, and what Piper seemed to be saying, is that God did it so He'd be praised, a desire for fame and reputation and showering of praise. That came across as selfish, but the way Piper framed it.. if you disagreed with God's "right" to be selfish, you were in the wrong. True, God can do what He wants with His creation, it just comes across as disappointing in His character the way it was termed.

It's like, our relationship with Christ is treated as a marriage relationship. Now I've never been married, so maybe I'm way off base with this, but isn't it supposed to be the Husband focuses on the wife's needs, the Wife focuses on the Husband's needs, that's what 1 Corinthians 7 seems to point to. But here how Piper portrayed it, the Wife is focused on the Groomsman, while the Groomsman is focused on... the Groomsman.

It's like dysfunctional marriages, where the Wife is all about herself while the husband's needs are unmet, or vice versa.

Narcissists seek honor for things they never achieved; or achieved fraudulently.

They can also seek honor for things they did achieve legitimately, it's like professional boxers or MMA fighters, like they were victorious, but now they're strutting and gloating, Muhammad Ali's braggadocio comes to mind. Isn't a meek or humble victor more desirable than one that is strutting and bragging?

God has never lied, nor has He ever not accomplished what He set in His mind to do.

And someone who is angry about God’s accomplishments, is simply angry because he is not God.

You keep thinking I want glory for myself and am just mad that God's getting it and not me.
apparently I'm not clear about my own low opinion of myself and self loathing.

I don't want fame, or glory, or praise, or anything else like that.
Other people want to hear "well done my good and faithful servant"
me, I can't accept compliments, my first instinct is to deny praise or compliments "I didn't do anything" "no I'm not", etc.
I expect to be the "least" in the Kingdom of Heaven, only there because of a promise Jesus made and for what it's worth, I do believe God keeps His promises.. even if some lines of thinking lead to narcissism, I believe that narcissists are very serious about keeping promises when their name and reputation are on the line...
we all know a particular narcissist in high profile now that is very obsessed about keeping promises (in fact one of his taglines is "promises made, promises kept") and obsessed with how other people see him. To be fair, maybe that colors current interpretations on my part.

You need to repent.

I do, but you also do, the accusatory tone is not befitting. You don't know me. Instead of arguing a point you have made it personal attacks about someone you do not know instead.

 

[Dan Perez]

Glory // DOXA , means Honor , Splendor or. Majesty

EGO , in. Latin means , I , SELF

dan p

 

[The Righterzpen]

Because scripture does tend to say that God did things for His own glory and His own name not our sake.
IE Ezekiel 36, God brings Israel back into the land not for their sake but for His own name.

Because I do not understand the alternate definition.

I am autistic, and while high functioning, it does affect communication primarily. So there's a lot of things with people I just do not "get"

Seeking "glory" is something I only "understand" from an academic point of view. I cannot empathize with a desire for fame or to be fawned over. I just know that other people do. I myself prefer to remain relatively anonymous
being that I'm used to being hated, I'd settle for just not being hated, I don't desire outpouring of praise and do not understand anyone else's desire for it.

the Isaiah passage, it was about our attempts to be self righteous.

Isaiah has several passages in which it's shown that in Israel, instead of trying to live according to the law they were given, they just violated the law and then used the sacrificial system to be forgiven of it, they abused that system and God eventually said their sacrifices didn't please Him, that they were coming at it from a wrong heart, instead of obedience, they intentionally disobeyed and thought to use sacrifice as a license to sin.

Hard to be thankful when the first thought is "I wish I'd never been born"

Well when people like John Piper talk about God doing it for Himself and not you, me, any other person, His entire creation as a whole, etc, and parts of scripture seem to back it up..

Like I'd get and admire selfless sacrifice in order to redeem your creation that fell, to restore Eden, or to redeem people for their sake to not suffer in Hell, those are noble.

what I couldn't get, and what Piper seemed to be saying, is that God did it so He'd be praised, a desire for fame and reputation and showering of praise. That came across as selfish, but the way Piper framed it.. if you disagreed with God's "right" to be selfish, you were in the wrong. True, God can do what He wants with His creation, it just comes across as disappointing in His character the way it was termed.

It's like, our relationship with Christ is treated as a marriage relationship. Now I've never been married, so maybe I'm way off base with this, but isn't it supposed to be the Husband focuses on the wife's needs, the Wife focuses on the Husband's needs, that's what 1 Corinthians 7 seems to point to. But here how Piper portrayed it, the Wife is focused on the Groomsman, while the Groomsman is focused on... the Groomsman.

It's like dysfunctional marriages, where the Wife is all about herself while the husband's needs are unmet, or vice versa.

They can also seek honor for things they did achieve legitimately, it's like professional boxers or MMA fighters, like they were victorious, but now they're strutting and gloating, Muhammad Ali's braggadocio comes to mind. Isn't a meek or humble victor more desirable than one that is strutting and bragging?

You keep thinking I want glory for myself and am just mad that God's getting it and not me.
apparently I'm not clear about my own low opinion of myself and self loathing.

I don't want fame, or glory, or praise, or anything else like that.
Other people want to hear "well done my good and faithful servant"
me, I can't accept compliments, my first instinct is to deny praise or compliments "I didn't do anything" "no I'm not", etc.
I expect to be the "least" in the Kingdom of Heaven, only there because of a promise Jesus made and for what it's worth, I do believe God keeps His promises.. even if some lines of thinking lead to narcissism, I believe that narcissists are very serious about keeping promises when their name and reputation are on the line...
we all know a particular narcissist in high profile now that is very obsessed about keeping promises (in fact one of his taglines is "promises made, promises kept") and obsessed with how other people see him. To be fair, maybe that colors current interpretations on my part.


I do, but you also do, the accusatory tone is not befitting. You don't know me. Instead of arguing a point you have made it personal attacks about someone you do not know instead.

Your accusations against God are silly. You can’t just leave it at: “I don’t know, but I will just assume the worst.” ??

There’s a lot of things I don’t understand, but I don’t assume wrong motives on God’s part because I don’t understand something.

And as far as having Autism and hating yourself? God being the only one who can help you; maybe it would be more useful to you to not assume the worst about Him.

Every body in this world has their problems. I grew up in an extremely dysfunctional family. I’m a war veteran and I was in a catastrophic car accident 15 years ago. I’m permanently disabled and walk on crutches.

My 23 year old son has had epilepsy his entire life. He can’t drive and can’t hold down a job. He’s on disability.

But again, God is the only one who can help you. I learned a long time ago that it served no purpose to be mad at God. That attitude wasn’t going to help me.

You still need to repent of assuming things about God’s character that aren’t true. You won’t improve psychologically if you don’t.