Finding True Satisfaction in Jesus: Breaking Free from Seeking Human Glory

Throughout the Bible, we see warnings against the dangers of seeking our own glory and approval from others. Jesus Himself spoke strongly against those who performed their deeds to be seen by others. In Matthew 23:5–7, He describes the scribes and Pharisees as individuals who love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and being called rabbi by others.

It’s interesting to consider why individuals who claim to be self-sufficient and self-satisfied would still crave the recognition and praise of others. Shouldn’t self-sufficiency free us from the need for external validation? However, the reality is that true self-sufficiency is impossible for us as human beings. We were never designed to rely solely on ourselves. We are created in the image of God, but we are not God. We are mere shadows and echoes of His greatness.

When we try to find satisfaction and fulfillment solely within ourselves, we will always come up empty. There will always be an emptiness in our souls when we try to rely on our own resources. We were not made to be self-sufficient; we were made to rely on God. Our souls long for the presence and glory of our Creator. The itch for human glory and praise reveals the failure of pride and the absence of faith in God’s ongoing grace.

Jesus understood the destructive effects of seeking glory from others. In John 5:44, He asks, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” Seeking glory from others hinders our ability to have true faith in God. Why is that? Because faith requires us to look away from ourselves and fix our gaze upon God. True faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus.

If we are constantly seeking praise and validation from others, we will inevitably turn away from Jesus. His life was not focused on receiving glory from others, but on bringing glory to His Father. He calls us to do the same. When we turn away from self as the source of our satisfaction and turn to Jesus, we can experience a fullness that surpasses any empty praise from others. Jesus offers us a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Repentance is the key to turning away from seeking our own glory and finding fulfillment in Jesus. When we repent, we acknowledge that our self-sufficiency will always fall short, and we humbly come to Jesus for the enjoyment of all that God is for us in Him. This act of faith replaces the itch of emptiness with a spring of water that satisfies our souls for eternity.

As we dive deeper into the Scriptures, we find numerous examples of individuals who sought their own glory and the consequences they faced. One such example is found in the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. In Daniel 4, we see how Nebuchadnezzar's pride and self-sufficiency led to his downfall. Despite being warned by the prophet Daniel, the king continued to boast about his achievements and glory. As a result, he was humbled by God and driven away from human society, living like an animal in the wilderness. It was only when Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the sovereignty and glory of God that he was restored to his kingdom. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of seeking our own glory and the importance of humbling ourselves before God.

In contrast, we have the example of Jesus, who, despite being the Son of God, did not seek His own glory. In John 8:50, Jesus declared, "I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge." Jesus lived a life of humility and obedience, always seeking to bring glory to His Father. He taught His disciples to do the same, saying in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Jesus showed us that true fulfillment and satisfaction come from seeking the glory of God, not the praise of men.

So how can we break free from the need for external validation and find true satisfaction in Jesus? It starts with a shift in our focus. Instead of seeking our own glory, we must fix our gaze upon God and His glory. We must seek to bring Him honor and praise in all that we do. This requires a daily surrender of our desires and ambitions to His will. We must be willing to lay aside our own agendas and seek His kingdom above all else.

In addition, we must cultivate a heart of gratitude. When we recognize and acknowledge that all good things come from God, we can find contentment in His provision and grace. As the psalmist wrote in Psalm 107:8–9, "Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." When our focus shifts from seeking our own glory to giving thanks for the blessings of God, we can experience true fulfillment and satisfaction in Him.

Ultimately, finding true satisfaction in Jesus requires a daily surrender of our desires, a shift in our focus, and a heart of gratitude. It is a journey of faith and trust in God's ongoing grace. As we seek to bring glory to Him in all that we do, we will find that the itch for human praise and validation diminishes, and we are filled with a spring of water that satisfies our souls for eternity. So let us turn away from seeking our own glory, and instead fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In Him, we will find true satisfaction and fulfillment.