UPWARD > OUTWARD
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:1-4
Jesus both emphasizes and prioritizes an intimate, private relationship with God over external validation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus discusses giving, praying, and fasting as crucial practices. He then challenges the religious leaders of his day for performing these acts for the wrong reasons. Instead of seeking God's approval, they were focused on impressing others.
One example Jesus uses is the practice of Tzedakah, a Jewish term for "justice to the oppressed." While giving to the poor is a good deed, Jesus warns that it loses its value if done for the wrong reasons. In a society that values success and achievement, it can be easy to prioritize external validation over spiritual growth and nearness to God. The key is to focus solely on God, not on the opinions, praise, or recognition of others.
Jesus modeled this principle in his own life. Even at the height of his ministry, he would withdraw to spend private time alone with His Heavenly Father. He valued this connection more than public recognition. Our culture often associates secrecy with negative things like dishonesty. However, Jesus encourages a “secret place” with God, meaning a relationship that is primarily focused on personal devotion and not public display.
This idea of seeking God's approval alone is central to the Counter Kingdom. It challenges us to examine our own motivations and to prioritize a deep connection with God over any external validation from the world.
"The approval of God is the ultimate goal of life; when we seek the approval of others, we are seeking a counterfeit happiness.”
John Piper
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to break free from the desire for human approval and seek Your approval alone. May we prioritize our relationship with You over external validation.
Grant us the courage to resist the temptation to perform good deeds for the wrong reasons. May our actions be motivated by love for You and a desire to honor Your name. Empower us to live a life of humility and to find joy in serving You in secret. May our relationship with You be a deep and personal one, focused solely on seeking Your approval.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
This devotional is from Counter Kingdom, the newest Patros Video series. It’s officially out!
You can get access to the whole series plus additional men’s discipleship resources for free at patros.us.