But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Jesus. Matthew 6:17, 18. Hi, it’s Nathan, and this is Day 10 of 30 Days on the Mount of Blessing, PT 2.
When we take action to deepen our connection with God—we should do nothing to highlight that fact. It doesn’t mean we can’t talk to others about what we’re doing—or even invite others to join us. It does mean we need to be on high-alert against losing the benefit of fasting—or whatever other religious discipline we’re practicing—by making it about drawing attention to ourselves. The central point of all religious practice is moving us away from self and toward God, so when our religious practice is used to shine a spotlight on ourselves it is quite simply working against its intended purpose and undermining God’s saving work in our lives.
