Show-offs

When you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:17-18

WE ALL KNOW people who like to show off—those who take an inordinate amount of pleasure in the attention of others. Show-offs usually don’t care whether the attention they receive is positive or negative; they just want to be noticed. Indeed, this desire is so strong that huge numbers of people are willing to degrade themselves on reality TV shows simply to be seen and heard.

Thankfully, most Christians try to avoid making public spectacles of themselves. But there are still a number of “acceptable” techniques we often use in order to be noticed. For example, sometimes we memorize and quote large passages of Scripture. Sometimes we offer long, elaborate prayers. Sometimes we make major sacrifices for the sake of God—and make sure everyone around us knows we’ve done so.

Such displays are not as publicly embarrassing as reality TV, but they are still spiritually destructive. They still reek of a desire to be noticed. Worse, they reveal that we’re more concerned about the approval of other people than we are about the approval of God.

Fasting and other spiritual disciplines are wonderful practices. The same is true of prayer, memorizing Scripture, and making sacrifices for God—Christians certainly should engage in such activities. But only by offering these practices to God alone can we receive the blessings and rewards he’s promised.