THE NEED TO BE SEEN
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV)
One of the gifts God gives us to fight against pride is secrecy. When we need to be seen by others and constantly need praise, it's because we aren’t rooted in the spirit. You can’t have public power, spiritually speaking, without a private spiritual world. Jesus is saying that some people have such a need to be seen, recognized and approved by others that faith has no private component. When you wake up early to be with Jesus or when God says something amazing, at times, keep that between you and God. Let a love and secret life with God drive you so that you don’t start looking for the praises of others. You can't live for the approval of God and man. One will win out in your life. That’s why Jesus says to get alone. Go into a room and let my love and life flow through you. Let Him meet and fill you up so you are free to love others well.
I know people who need to post every moment of their life on social media. That can often keep them from being present with others. However, it's the same thing if you only talk about yourself and your day. Jesus was the Savior of the world, but he often noticed others. This is a picture of humility. I was once challenged not to speak about myself for an entire day. Just talk about others or any subject that wasn’t all about me. I found I had way less to say that day. Humility is self-forgetfulness. It’s saying I’m more concerned about you than myself. This is very difficult, but when you get alone with Jesus and learn to have a private spiritual life, it frees you up to live this way.
How’s your private life? Are you spending time alone with God and letting His love and power wash over you? This is exactly what Jesus did. He got alone with the Father, then went and poured out His love.
APPLICATION: Spend time alone today with your heavenly Father.
PRAYER: Ask God to help you be hidden in Him, to set you free with His love, and to help you become more aware of others.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?