To a greater or lesser degree, everybody likes and even needs to be seen and praised by other people. We know that in their earliest moments of life, babies respond to the smiles and soothing voices of those caring for them. As a child grows to maturity, they will seek validation from parents that is critical to their formation into adulthood. We also know that if a child or teen is exposed to the wrong kind of praise it can lead to developing unhealthy self-esteem and relational skills that can make adult life challenging for them. Our fallen, sinful nature has distorted where we will seek approval and validation, resulting in a skewed self-image as well as an unhealthy need for validation from places we should not seek it. As we help our children mature, we want then to discern where they should seek validation and where they should not. The same is true of the spiritual life on the Narrow Path.

In our text this week (Matthew 6:1-18), Jesus identifies three common religious practices; giving, praying, and fasting. Jesus indicates that there are rewards we can receive as we participate in these religious activities. If we practice the religious activity for a deeper connection with God, Jesus states there is a reward from God. Jesus also points out that it is possible to practice a religious activity (a good thing) but do it for a reason other than a deeper connection with God. In our fallenness, Christians can do religious things for the validation of other people rather than a deeper connection with God. When we do that, we receive the reward of praise from people and at the same time forfeit the reward God desires to give us. Participating in religious practice for the praise of people is detrimental to our spiritual growth and development. Join me this Sunday as we look at how to order our private world that will lead to a healthy religious practice and a deeper connection to God.