We don’t know a lot about Jesus’ days in the wilderness. Only 6 verses mention it (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2) outside of the temptation. All we know is: 40 days and nights, fasting, very hungry, tempted. Apparently, that is all we need to know. The rest was between Jesus and His Father.
Jesus often told people not to tell others what He had done for them (Mark 1:44, Mark 9:9, Luke 8:56). And He cautioned His followers to keep their good deeds and religious practices private.
When giving:
1“Be careful not to do good deeds in front of other people …
3 When you give to needy people, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
4 Then your giving will be done secretly. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly.
Matthew 6:1a, 3-4 New International Reader’s Version
When praying:
5 “When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy …
6 When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can’t be seen. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly. Matthew 6:5a, 6 NIRV
When fasting:
16 “When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy …
17 But when you go without eating, put olive oil on your head. Wash your face.
18 Then others will not know that you are fasting. Only your Father, who can’t be seen, will know it. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly. Matthew 6:16a, 17-18 NIRV
What is done for recognition is not done for God; it is just “pretending to be holy.”
So, what does Secrecy look like?
*Serving without telling others what you have done
*Keeping others’ confidences and secrets
*Refusing to boast, justify or rationalize
*Accepting praise without self-deprecation
*Celebrating others’ achievements without bringing up your own
*Developing a secret place of intimacy with Jesus
God’s approval is what matters.
If our goal is to hear others say, “Well done,”
we won’t do what we need to do to hear Him say it.
Randy Alcorn
The fact is you can’t please everybody. You have to choose.
So choose wisely.