Are we glorifying God to impress others? Or to feel better about ourselves? Or are we truly glorifying God, not to lift ourselves, but no acknowledge How amazing our God truly is? What does scripture tell us about this?
I’m sure you can find other appropriate scripture, but here is one to contemplate:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for the love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” Matthew 6:5-6.
Lord, forgive us for those times we glorify you in word, but in actuality, are trying to draw attention to ourselves. Teach us to humbly worship you and you alone. Thank you for your many blessings, for your love, your faithfulness, and your amazing grace.
Growing Our Faith Together 
Quiet faithfulness is often harder than visible obedience. It’s easy to imagine that glorifying God happens mainly in moments of crisis or public witness, but Scripture consistently brings us back to the unseen places, the ordinary, unremarkable hours where motives are revealed. Oswald Chambers’ words press gently on that point, asking not what we do, but why we do it.
I appreciate how you frame the question of motive without condemnation. Jesus’ counsel in Matthew 6 speaks directly to the heart, reminding us that the Father values sincerity over display. What is done in secret matters because God Himself is the audience. True worship isn’t about being noticed by others, or even feeling spiritually accomplished, it’s about rightly acknowledging who God is.
Your closing prayer captures that spirit well. Humility before God isn’t about diminishing ourselves; it’s about allowing Him to take His rightful place. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). May our daily, unseen choices reflect that same quiet devotion.
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Thankfully, God sees what’s on our hearts. While what we say and do affects others for His kingdom, we don’t have to impress others with our goodness. Only God can judge that and only God can forgive when we fail.
There is a reason scripture tells us to “be still and know that I am God.” In our inner stillness we commune with Him and get to know Him better.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, insightful comments.
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