1 Peter 4:11 KJV
[11] “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Peter encourages believers in this verse to do all for the glory of God. After all, God is the only One who should receive the glory, and He is the only One worthy of the glory. There are a lot of people today that are glory hogs. They are willing to step up, speak up, and serve as long as they are in the spotlight. Remember, the Christians in our text are going through great persecution, and Peter reminds them that the purpose of everything they say and do is to glorify God. Even if our words and works bring persecution, it is good if God receives the glory.
The word “oracles” means divine utterances. That means that when we speak, we should do it with Holy Spirit illumination and Divine authority. We must say what the Word of God says, and we must have the touch of God when we are speaking His Word. Preachers filled with the Holy Spirit are also full of the Scriptures. They are men who preach the truth of God‘s Word, and they preach it with a sincere heart and a scriptural message. Their motive is not to draw attention to themselves but to point others to the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth He taught in His Word. It is not the desire of real men of God to be remembered, but they want to glorify God in everything they say and do.
We have been blessed in America to hear men of this caliber preach His Word down through the decades. We must pray for God’s men today that the Lord will protect them and keep them in the right way. If the Devil cannot destroy them by leading them into sin, he will try to get them focused on themselves. Ministry should never be about us but all about the Lord. As we preach the Word, our desire is to point people to the One worthy to be glorified. Spirit-filled men will never make the ministry about themselves.
Remember, not only men of God but every believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Each one has a responsibility to share the truth with others, but we must be filled with the Holy Spirit and have sincere motives in our Christian service. Giving the gospel out is important, but the motive is also important as we share the gospel with others. They may not always receive it well, but if presented with the right motives, it will glorify God.