Day 260, Year 1

What is the Use of Appearing Pious?

“But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.” (Matthew 23:5 NASB)

To avoid being exposed, some religious people refuse to listen to God’s Word but put on a pious face. So, believers should not trust all those who claim to be devout. Jesus says, “They do all their deeds to be noticed by men.” Strictly speaking, this means that everything they do is to gain the recognition or praise of others. Jesus goes on to give two examples, “they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.” The phylacteries and the tassels are both mentioned in the Old Testament, originally intended to remind the Israelites to obey the Law of Moses.

Believers should be aware that it is easy to put on a pious face instead of having true piety within. Many religions and beliefs share similar challenges because inner transformation is often difficult. Human weakness drives people to do simple things on the surface to replace real changes on the inside. However, as mentioned previously, God is full of wisdom and power, and we really do not need to take the easy way out and fake out the faith. Instead, we need to ask God for help to embark on the challenging journey of inner renewal. The faith of the Bible is for those who enjoy challenges and overcoming difficulties.

Looking back at today’s verse, some people think of pushing their way to earn praise or compliments from others. But living like this is truly exhausting, isn’t it? The reality is that different people have different expectations. Thus, it is difficult for us to meet all of them. Some people constantly seek external admiration, recognition, and praise from others, but inside, they are lonely, fearful, empty, and depressed. On the contrary, as believers follow God’s guidance, we can find joy and satisfaction. God’s demands for each of us are not really that difficult, because He will surely help those who sincerely trust in Him to live up to His standard with step-by-step improvement. The Lord will also invite us to progress, bit by bit, based on our individual scale.

In reality, some people are prone to feeling inferior if they do not boast about themselves. It is a pity that they feel very insecure without external affirmation. Contrarily, those who are affirmed by God do not need to seek praise or appreciation from others. For example, people who recognize the value of their lives will not feel embarrassed even if they wear tattered or dirty clothes and shoes. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross for the unrighteousness of us affirms the precious value of every person’s life who believes in Him.

Reflection questions:

1) Have you ever strived to earn compliments or approval from different people? If so, how do you feel about that?

2) Without visible accomplishments or validations, would you feel inferior in front of others? If so, how would you face it with God’s help?