What does it truly mean to be spiritual? In Matthew 6:16–18, Jesus exposes a subtle yet dangerous temptation: the desire to appear holy rather than to actually be holy. He confronts the showmanship of the Pharisees, who fasted for attention, wearing their gloom like a costume and turning their devotion into performance. Their goal was applause from others, not intimacy with God, and Jesus warns that such outward display misses the heart of true faith.

God is not impressed by appearances, rituals, or forced expressions of humility. He sees into the secret places of the heart, where genuine devotion lives. Fasting, prayer, and worship are meant to draw us closer to Him, not to earn recognition from people. When our spiritual life becomes a performance, we exchange eternal reward for temporary admiration, missing the intimacy God desires.

Christ calls us to authentic faith—living, giving, praying, and fasting with eyes fixed solely on the Father. Anointing our heads and washing our faces, as Jesus instructs, signals that our joy and devotion come from Him alone. Spiritual transformation is not occasional or superficial; it is daily, inward, and continuous as the Spirit renews our hearts. The question remains: are we living for the applause of men, or for the enduring approval of God?