Whereas our light should certainly shine before all men, we must also temper our personal piety with a discreet attitude, knowing that our reward is before, and from God, not men. Yes, our attitude/behavior of life that is visibly seen should be directed by the attitudes and behaviors manifest in the Beatitudes. Yet, our individual mourning over sin and piety should not be represented by purposely disfiguring our personal appearance to be seen.

Simply stated, our appearance shouldn’t be exaggerated to promote ourselves as religious before men. Piety is before God. If our hearts are truly following Christ, we will not have to attract attention to prove religion. In essence, follow Christ as a normal habit and your light will shine with purpose unintentionally.

Matthew 6:16-18 “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

Article originally published on PBPerspective.com, March 2019