Today we will be looking at part 3 of a group of 3 acts that Jesus is telling us to do righteously. We have covered Alms (Charity), Prayer and today Fasting. Let’s get into Fasting – When No One Else Knows. Sometimes people “do” correct things to get that attention. They put on an act if you will to become more noticeable. And that includes fasting. Fasting is a tool to help us draw closer to God. It is a tool to help us strengthen self-discipline. It is a tool to prepare us to do things that God wants us to. It is a tool to overcome the evils of Satan. Matthew 17:21 The kind of Fasting – When No One Else Knows. And those who mourn or grieve with you may fast alongside of you. Psalm 35:13 Matthew 6:16-18 Righteous acts can become perverted and skewed if we are not careful. What starts out as a holy obligation can quickly become the measuring stick we judge others by. Jesus shared this parable in the company of some Pharisees. Luke 18:9-14 And we see how that righteous act became an opportunity to be arrogant. No one is exempt from perverting the motivation of why they started do what they do in the first place. God knows when that happens. He checks the heart. Many of the commentators state that these people put on a show while putting on a show. That they are laboring through the process of fasting to show people that they are fasting. And that Jesus is telling us, they have just received their reward. It should matter what your Father who sees the motive of your heart thinks. Jesus is warning us not to be like the posers / hypocrites. Your private fast should not draw attention to yourself. Are you fasting to hear from God? Are you fasting to prepare yourself for good works? Are you fasting seeking God’s direction in your life? Are you fasting to learn self-control? Are you fasting in a way that honors God? Are you fasting with righteous motives? Because that is what we should all be striving for. The approval of God who sees what is done in secret, not man’s. Has God won over your heart? Not just lip service, not a show, not a decision made on emotion, but a decision made based on truth? Have you surrendered your life to Him by repenting and believing on the name of Jesus? Let today be your day of salvation!