Is this teaching biblical?
Victoria Osteen's statement that worship is 'not for God' but 'for yourself' is a complete inversion of biblical worship. God created humanity for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). The twenty-four elders in Revelation cast their crowns before God's throne declaring 'You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory' (Revelation 4:11). Worship exists because God is worthy — not because it makes us feel good. Albert Mohler called this 'beyond mere incoherence — it is moral and theological nonsense. More than that, it is a massive statement of ministerial malpractice.'
What did Victoria Osteen say?
"When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy."
Speaker: Victoria Osteen
Source: Victoria Osteen, Lakewood Church sermon, August 2014
What does Scripture actually teach?
Isaiah 43:7
"Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."
— NKJV
God created us for HIS glory — not for our happiness. Victoria Osteen's statement inverts the entire purpose of human existence, placing self at the center where God alone belongs.
Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."
— NKJV
The heavenly worship scene in Revelation centers entirely on God's worthiness — not on the worshippers' self-fulfillment. All things exist by His will and for His purposes. Victoria Osteen's teaching is the exact opposite of heavenly worship.
Psalm 115:1
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.
— NKJV
The Psalmist explicitly declares that glory belongs to God's name — 'not unto us.' Victoria's statement that worship is 'for yourself' is a direct contradiction of this foundational biblical principle.
Related False Teachings
"99.9% of all people are good people."
— Joel Osteen | Denial of Sin
"I don't think anything I've said has offended someone of a different faith."
— Joel Osteen | People-Pleasing Gospel
"I believe there are many paths to Jesus. You don't know how Jesus would reveal Himself to somebody, ..."
— Joel Osteen | False Gospel