There is no more destructive force in a relationship than self-glory. When I make everything all about me – all about the things I want, the things I feel, and the things I need – I will be endlessly demanding and dissatisfied. When I am in the center of my world, I won’t so much love you as I will work to co-opt you into the service of my little kingdom of one. I will be much more concerned about my agenda for you than about God’s will for you. I will judge you, not by the laws of God’s kingdom, but by the laws of my kingdom. If you help me get what I want, I will be kind to you, but if you get in the way of what I want, I will do what is necessary to get you back in line with the purposes of my kingdom of one.

– Paul David Tripp in Forever