SCRIPTURE:
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Matthew 15:8-9
OBSERVATION:
Jesus speaking of the religious leaders of the day, called out their desire for outward appearance over inward transformation. He highlighted their focus on image over intimacy with Christ. All throughout Matthew 6, he speaks of HOW we should conduct ourselves when we give, pray and fast.
Giving:
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:2-4
Prayer:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:5-6
Fasting:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18
APPLICATION:
When it comes to our relationship with Christ, there is ONE thing that He teaches us over and over again – Do things for the right reason, not for recognition from man. That we would do things not for show, but for Christ and Christ alone.
No matter what I am doing, ESPECIALLY if it is for The Lord, I must ensure that I am doing it for the right reasons and not for the applause of man.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have done things looking for validation and a pat on the back from others. Thank You Lord that You call us to do things for the right reason. May I listen to Your voice and simply do as You ask me to, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
