King Saul is a solid example of one chosen and anointed by God who became quite a somebody in his own esteem, and as a consequence he cared more about His own honour than God's. When he was confronted for disobeying the prophet Samuel and offering sacrifices he had no right to offer, he brazenly remarked in 1 Samuel 15:30: "Then
he said, "I have sinned; yet honour me now, please, before the elders of
my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God." For Saul, confession of sin before Samuel was merely saying what he believed Samuel wanted to hear so he would comply with Saul's request. He had no desire to worship God in public or private, but doing so was a means by which Saul could receive honour from men. See how pride led to Saul being central and desirous of the spotlight rather than giving glory to God with sincere humility, contrition and repentance.
The apostle John wrote concerning Jewish rulers in Jesus' day in John 12:42-43: "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be
put out of the synagogue; 43 for they
loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." To be put out of the synagogue and excommunicated from fellowship was a greater concern for these rulers than acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Messiah. John provided insight into their character, that they "...loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." They valued and cherished the honour they received from people more than "Well done, good and faithful servant!" spoken to them by the mouth of God. Another way to read this is they preferred men praising them more than the privilege of praising God themselves. Perhaps they ignored the consequences Jesus warned in Matthew 10:32-33: "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men,
him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me
before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."
See how pride, love of man's praise and desire for honour can corrupt any good man does and undermine our integrity! The worship of God can be thus polluted, service of God made to serve man's selfish ends, and motivation to good works can be driven by greed for honour. Titus 1:15-16 reads, "To the
pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing
is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny
Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." How we need the Holy Spirit to give us pure hearts, for in our flesh no good thing dwells. It is by faith in Jesus sinners are born again and made new creations, and Jesus cleanses us from sin and works to purify our minds and conscience with His word. God has created us to do good works and ordained we walk in them for the praise of His glory. As the song goes, "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness." May all God's people be those who boldly profess faith in Christ and by our works honour Him.