Practicing Your Righteousness

6 “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.” (Matthew 6:1)

Review and Application

Imagine being temporarily taken by God to experience life in Heaven. You spend a few days worshipping God in all his glory, experiencing God’s presence and his love for you. You’re sent back to life as you know it today. He tells you, “I’ll always be with you”. After experiencing this very clear view of reality, would you ever think to practice your righteousness before people just to be seen by people?

Why do we as people still fall into people pleasing?

People generally want to be liked and accepted by other people. But, anytime you put your earthly relationships, or yourself, above God – that’s adultery. As a follower of Christ, we must learn to be okay with not being accepted by the masses, in fact, we should expect some relational turbulence. (see John 15:20)

Question: Does it make sense to sacrifice a close relationship with God for the purpose of looking good to other people, or yourself?

So, why do we practice righteousness?

We will always be practicing something. Some practice sin, others practice righteousness. When you know the truth in Christ, the lie loses its appeal. The more you focus on the truth, the more sin doesn’t rest well in your Spirit. God is good, and those who know him desire a close walk with him. May your practicing be motivated by his love for you and also for your genuine love for him. May it be motivated by relationship.

How would you apply this verse in your walk with God? Please comment below.