Here is an excerpt of Paul summarizing sin in human history:

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

That is from Romans 1. There are a lot of other “exchanges” mentioned in Paul’s analysis. All of them involve attempts to gain glory that are actually self-degrading.

Why trade God’s glory for that of bugs? I think it is because one cannot claim to have achieved such glory from someone like God. Demote Him enough, and one can say one’s blessings were bargained for.

And, this dynamic reveals itself in the mundane evil of group dynamics and social politics. Thus, Jesus said to his enemies:

I do not receive glory from people.  But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.  I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

The great thing about glory from other people is that one can trade for it and feel a sense of accomplishment.  None of this nothing but sheer grace business.