“And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.” (Exodus 28:40)
Lucifer fell because he was smitten with his own beauty, the very beauty God gave him. God bestows gifts and talents upon all His creation, to some more, to others less. Every good and every perfect gift comes from above. The wisdom of the world says, “If you got it, flaunt it.”
Is it wrong to want to be appreciated, even praised, for the “good” you see in yourself? Is it wrong to seek the affirmation and validation of those around you when you’ve cooked a savory dinner, built a fine piece of furniture, or beautifully sung a song? It is in our spiritual DNA to want this “little light” of ours to shine. Who puts a basket over a lamp?
Paul had spiritual attainments that he could have boasted of. He was a man who had been taken up into the third heaven. He was shown things and knew things that would have astounded others. But he was not permitted to utter them. And lest he should be puffed up by all he knew he was given a thorn in the flesh, which was nothing to naturally glory in.
How strange that our God would bestow upon His creation such awesome gifts, even giving them incredible talents and breathtaking beauty, and then not let them be in charge of displaying them as they wish. Jesus would not reveal who He was until the time ordained of His Father. Instead, He allowed His glory to be shrouded in what was folly and weakness to men’s eyes.
The law has a word to all who would be engaged in serving the Lord. Make sure your flesh is not on display for people’s eyes or admiration. “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” (Exodus 20:26) God is not pleased with spiritual or natural exhibitionism. Whatever we do, with whatever God gives us, it is to be done for His glory and His praise and not our own. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
If the beautiful and glorious garment we possess has been given to us by God we have nothing really to glory in but Him. Who but Him makes us any different from another? We are not to be smitten with ourselves, we are to be grateful to our Creator.
Be led by His Spirit in all you do. When He says, “Shine for Me!” shine brightly. When He says, “Cover up!” keep what He has given you under wraps. In each day, live for His eyes and His praise alone.