Righteous Acts that Become Sin

Author: Joseph

Date: January 12, 2020

We previously learned that good deeds should not be hidden, but why then does there seem to be a sudden change when Yeshua says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them…” (Matthew 6:1)? At a first glance, this statement seems to contradict what we already heard from Yeshua, but it does not. Yeshua is not saying that we must do good deeds openly and somehow, at the same time, not practice righteousness before people. He is saying that we are not to practice righteousness with the intention of being recognized by others.

"...hypocrites call attention to themselves..."

If righteous acts are done for the acknowledgment, attention, or approval of people, then it becomes sin. Yeshua said that hypocrites call attention to themselves when they perform righteous deeds, even sounding trumpets and praying while standing in public places (Matthew 6:2, 5). They steal the glory from God and instead want others to see how “righteous” they are being in the actions they perform or in the words they say. This kind of behavior turns righteous acts into sin.

Giving to the poor is a righteous deed, but doing so to be noticed makes it sinful (Matthew 6:2). Yeshua instructs His disciples to, instead, give in secret even to the extent that they themselves don’t credit it to themselves (Matthew 6:3-4). The self-recognition of giving to the poor is also just as sinful.

Praying is a righteous deed, but doing so to be noticed by people means that you are not praying at all (Matthew 6:5-7). Prayer is communication with God, but by seeking attention for yourself, you are instead communicating with others by grasping their attention. Prayer is instead to be done where you are not seen or heard, to the extent that others do not even know if you pray (Matthew 6:6).

Fasting is a righteous deed, but if you fast and intentionally seek recognition by people, your fast is fruitless (Matthew 6:16). Fasting should be done without any outward appearance indicating you are fasting, to the extent that others don’t notice at all (Matthew 6:17-18). A true fast is a secret only God knows.

The right intention for doing righteous deeds is so that God’s kingdom draws near and His will is done (Matthew 6:10). Any righteous deed, done with this intention, will be rewarded by God Himself (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). Self-recognition and the recognition of people isn’t a true reward at all since the rewards we have on earth will fade away (Matthew 6:19-21).

Do not seek rewards or recognition that perishes and fades away. Instead seek to draw God’s kingdom near and that His will is done by the righteous deeds you do. If you turn away from rewarding yourself, you are benefiting more than if you didn’t. God will give you true rewards that last beyond this life and that no one in the world can take away.

Do not deceive yourself in thinking this does not apply to you. Everyone has done this or does this even now. We even create environments where this type of sin can flourish. Do you feel awkward or pressured to choose the right words during a group prayer because prayer was initiated as a ritual instead of as necessary and timely communication with God? Does your worship team seem frustrated when the congregation doesn’t join into singing as enthusiastically as they want them to? Does your congregation “recognize” the efforts of volunteers or individuals with applause or gifts when they do good deeds, setting the wrong expectation for public praise? These are just a few instances of when a potential righteous deed is turned into sin. Look at your own behavior and the behavior of your community. Does it reflect true righteousness or has it become a show of sorts for self-recognition and recognition from others?

Matthew 6:1-18

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org