So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.Matthew 23:28 (ESV)
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.Matthew 6:1 (ESV)
We are all able to do righteous acts out of our own accord. But doing righteous acts does not equate to being in right standing with God. Sometimes we become so religious, we act “righteous” simply out of duty as Christians or we do it for the approval of man. God sees our hearts and our intentions. He knows when we are operating out of obedience and love versus fear and obligation. We need to be reminded that the only opinion that matters is our Father’s and the approval of man has no eternal value.
Father, we surrender the spirit of performance and the need for the approval of others at Your feet. Holy Spirit, renew our spirits daily, check our hearts and let us abide in You so that everything we do flows out of Your leading and love. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Jade Navarro
