10 Ways to Glorify God in Everyday Life
No matter your circumstances or where you find yourself, you can choose to glorify God in your life. This is true in our work, in our play, in our fellowship, and in our worship. Glorifying Him can take the form of praise through song or speech, worship in our daily lives, or simply a heart that defers to Him in all things.
But how can we practically glorify Him in our daily lives? Here are 10 verses that tell us how we can glorify our Father.
#1 Know That Every Action Is for God
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
We tend to think of great acts of ministry or evangelism as working for God. But the apostle Paul is quick to note that mundane, everyday acts like eating and drinking can also be holy. If we submit ourselves to God’s will and seek His pleasure in whatever we do, aligning our lives with Scripture and following His call on our hearts, we should always do so knowing that He will be glorified.
#2 Others Will Notice Who We Live For
Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.”
The point Jesus is trying to make is not that we should do good solely for the purpose of gaining the praise of men. Rather, the praise of men should be redirected back to God. When we live for Him, others will take notice and recognize that God is the reason for our actions, and turn their worship and admiration up to the Father.
#3 Righteousness Is from God, Everything Else Is a Lie
1 John 3:9-10 says, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”
John’s first epistle spends a great deal of time detailing how we can know if we are abiding in the love of Christ. One sure sign is righteousness in our lives, and the opposite is true: if we are actively living in unrighteousness, it does not glorify God and it is proof that He is not in us.
#4 Holy Conduct Is a Choice, but It Is Always the Right One
1 Peter 1:14-15 says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He Who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
It may be hard work to live a good life for your whole life, but the Spirit should always win out against the desires of the flesh. Call on God to help you be obedient to Him, just as He called you to love Him. This is one way that we can glorify Him in our lives, by letting our conduct and actions point to Him.
#5 It’s Not About Us
John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Those that followed John the Baptist seemed surprised that Jesus was overtaking him in ministry. But John knew that the point was never his own fame. He always acknowledged that he was only a messenger who pointed to the coming of the Messiah. Now that He had come into the world, John’s purpose and mission were completed – he had no need for public recognition apart from Jesus.
#6 Never Seek Your Own Glory
Psalm 115:1 says, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your Name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!”
Mankind is prideful and selfish, and if we are not careful we will fall prey to the desire to seek praise for our own merits and actions. We should always strive to return that glory back to God because He alone is worthy of it.
#7 God Created and Designed Us to Glorify Him
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
You were created by God. He lovingly formed you, and He has a purpose for your life. He has laid out a path for you to follow, and Jesus Christ has redeemed you from the power of sin so that you can be restored to that perfect relationship with your heavenly Father. Walk in His ways, and you can fulfill His divine and perfect will for your life.
#8 We Should Present Our Entire Lives to Him
Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Our whole lives are an act of living worship. We should consecrate every part of ourselves to God, which will bring the ultimate glory and honor to Him – a heart completely yielded to His will and his righteousness. This is how we can show our praise beyond a song or a service. It is lived out in every second of every day, every step we take and every word we say. This is the true worship that is lived out with our whole lives and our whole hearts.
#9 Recognize That God Alone Is Worthy
Psalm 29:1-2 says, “Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His Name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.”
The Psalms are a beautiful repository of praise and worship. Everyone carries some aspect of praise and worship, glorifying God through dazzling imagery and words of dedication. This particular psalm has a strong message of acknowledging that God is behind everything we see and experience. We should recognize that His is the only Name worthy of praise and honor.
#10 Whatever You Do, Do It for the Lord
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
We can work for power or money, or simply because we want others to see our good deeds. However, this is not the way God intended for us to work. Even if we do serve our neighbor, we deny God if we only do it from selfish motives. We should look to God as the source of our strength in everything we do, knowing that we work for Him and not for others.