Hypocrisy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

⁵ “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. ⁶ 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.

Fasting

¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

"Sometimes the greatest barrier between the unconverted  and Christ is a Christian's inconsistency." A hypocrite is someone who plays a part, who puts on a act; whose life is a deception.

I once read the story of a father who warned his son not to go to a theatre to watch a certain burlesque show because he would see things not meant for him to see. Quietly that night when Dad was out, he sneaked out of the house and went to the show. What a surprise awaited him - not just something, but someone he was not meant to see - his father.

Read today's message -"Future Perfect" the 40 Day devotional booklet published by Love Singapore. Plenty of food for thought.