Praise report or pride report?

There are many Christians out there and especially in here who like to exalt themselves. And it is most sad because such behavior is exhibited by many of His servants who are called to oversee His people. Be careful brethren, many are stealing God's Glory. Many are looking for a pat on the back. It is but self glory. We must check our motives and our hearts. Are we giving a praise report or a pride report?

Have you been given authority to speak on a particular matter? Scripture says not all should try to be teachers for they will receive the greater condemnation. But why do so many attempt to teach and preach? It is because such wisdom is not from the Lord but demonic. Superficial wisdom is earthly, carnal, and demonic. It is out of envy, rivalry, self ambition, and self glory. Why are we looking for a pat on the back? Why are we looking for attention when the Glory belongs to the LORD!!

James 3:14-15 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).

God's Name is also JEALOUS!! HE is Jealous for you and I. Why would many of us expose some intimate things He shares with us when it is suppose to be only between Him and the recipient. Do you go around sharing what goes on in the bed room between you and your spouse to others in public?

Exodus 34:14 (AMP) For you shall worship no other god; for the Lord, Whose name is Jealous, is a jealous (impassioned) God,

Or are people trying to validate their authority by describing their gifts and the grace they receive? If God provides a person more food or resources than another person, does that justify authority? He provides rain to the righteous and wicked. Rain is provided by His Grace!

The mark of authority is the anointing on a person. The more the anointing, the higher the authority. Your gifts do not mark your authority. They are given to help build your faith and to help you draw closer to HIM. Do not pride in your gifts. Do not envy others for their gifts in the wrong way. Do not exalt one another in a prideful way.
Do NOT steal His Glory. Edify and lift one another in the Love of the Lord for His Glory.

What is true wisdom? What is the wisdom from above?

James 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

Fire of God Ministries International
Steve Yong Kim