Are you fasting for Lent? Why? – Memorizing Matthew 6:16

Are you fasting this Lenten season?

Have you told anybody about it?

It’s not wrong to tell.

But what Jesus was warning his disciples about in Matthew 6:16 (this week’s memory verse) was this: don’t make a show of it.

It’s good to question our motives behind any of the spiritual disciplines that we practice. Jesus encouraged it.

• Are we giving so that others will praise us? (Matthew 6:2)
• Are we praying in public so people will see us? (Matthew 6:5)
• Are we fasting so men will notice? (Matthew 6:16)

If yes, then these disciplines are an end to themselves. Yes, we will receive praise, others will see, others will notice. These are powerful motivators that we are all lured by.

But is that really what we want?

As we memorize and meditate on Matthew 6:16 this week, may we ask ourselves:

Why am I doing this? Am I simply seeking admiration from other people?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.