Do not be like the hypocrites!

God loves people that are genuine. He knows who they are and what they look like. He can tell the difference between someone who is putting on a good show, and those who are seriously following Him. He knows what genuine prayer is like, genuine kindness and genuine devotion. Those who truly love God are genuine and they do not pay much attention about what others think of them, for they have understood that what God sees in them is much more important. They are God-pleasers not people pleasers because they genuinely do their best to put God first. Some people are not like this and even use faith based activities like prayer or fasting to try to impress others rather than focusing on God. Here is what Jesus has to say about that;

Matthew 6:16–24 (ESV): 

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

How you appear to God is far more important than how man sees you. Do not put on appearances for people, but spend more time preparing your mind and heart to meet with God. Then you will avoid being a hypocrite. It is easy to become one, saying and doing things that are good principles but not following them through in your own life. It is like someone telling others not to smoke because it is bad for you, and doing it themselves. Here Jesus calls people hypocrites who go without food (fast) but are making a show of it by ensuring that they look hungry and miserable. It seems that they even forgo washing as well just to make sure people know that they are without food (v17). This is not what God desires from fasting. For those giving up food in this way are not putting God first or being genuine in their faith. 

Fasting is giving up food for a period of time to show reliance on God, get closer to Him, spend usual eating times thinking about Him, praying, and reading Scripture. It is a chance to show how much you depend on God for your survival and comfort depend on Him when you fast. You will feel physical hunger, but denying that in order to set aside comfort to focus on God is a good thing. It shows humility before God and reliance on Him to fulfill your every need. This is genuine faith. Fasting is an opportunity to focus on God, spend time with Him, listen and speak to Him and show loyalty and love to Him. You know and God know if this is your attitude when you fast. Fasting is about putting God first, above even your physical needs to remember who really is the most important One.

As a follower of God, you should have times of fasting in your life. Jesus expects you to. So, when you do, do not make a fuss, do not tell everyone about it, just get on with it and honour God in it. Get on with your life as usual, wash, dress yourself as normal and make an effort during the fast to be kind and loving to others, not allowing hunger to impact your emotions or responses. There is no point trying to do something for God if you are going to do it in a manner that dishonours Him, so you need to be mindful of your reactions during fasting times and continue to honour God by loving the people around you, otherwise you can fall into the hypocrite category.

Although Jesus says that ‘your fasting may not be seen by others’ it does not mean that you should not fast as a church about a matter, or as a group praying about an issue. For as you do others will be aware that you are taking part. This is not the situation that Jesus is talking about in this passage. Jesus is talking about when you personally decide to fast, do not boast about it, but be genuine. Jesus is clear that when you fast, God does not want you to make a fuss about it. Just get on with life and the people around you, you should be able to fast and be yourself. The ‘hypocrites’ go about their daily lives doing it wearing expressions of misery and moaning about how hungry they are, they maybe even fast washing so that everyone they meet can ask what was wrong, and they may excuse their being snappy or angry with hunger. This is not behaviour that God approves, and He calls it hypocrisy, Do not be like that. 

Fasting is hard. You deny yourself food for a set time to honour God. This includes what you put in your mouth and what comes out of it. Your behaviour and interactions with others matter just as much as your dedication to fasting. Just because you are hungry it does not mean it is ok to be rude or unkind, you will have to manage your attitude. It is difficult, but not impossibile as you have a great God that you can rely on for the strength you do not have. To truly fast, you put God first, no-one or nothing else. It is an act of humility, love and dedication to Him, so when you next choose to fast check your attitude and desires before you begin for it is not easy, and you want to ensure that you will honour God in it.