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“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” – Galatians 1:10.
Imagine two musicians playing the same song. One performs on a busy street corner where crowds gather. He plays loudly and flawlessly, constantly scanning the crowd to see who is watching. People applaud, drop coins, and record videos. His performance is polished, but his attention is more on the audience than the music itself.
The other musician plays the same song in an empty room. No one is there to applaud, no one is recording, and no one is passing by. Yet he plays with care, focus, and sincerity because he loves the music itself. There is no audience except the one who truly matters.
Both are doing the same external action, but only one is driven by genuine devotion.
In the same way, spiritual practices can look identical on the outside, but God sees whether the heart is performing for people or living in sincere devotion to Him. Jesus repeatedly contrasts public approval with God’s approval. He speaks of those who perform acts of righteousness to be seen by others. Their reward is the attention and praise they receive. Yet He calls His followers to seek God’s approval rather than human applause. The issue is not secrecy itself, but sincerity.
This teaching challenges us because motives are not always easy to see, even in ourselves. We may begin with pure intentions and gradually become more aware of how others perceive us. Pride and the desire for recognition can quietly attach themselves to even good spiritual practices.
That is why regular self-examination matters. We must ask honest questions: Am I serving because I love God and care for others, or because I want to be noticed? Am I praying to commune with God, or to appear spiritual? Am I giving out of gratitude, or for recognition? These questions help reveal whether our devotion is centered on God or ourselves.
The good news is that God is gracious toward imperfect people. None of us always has perfectly pure motives. When we see mixed motives in ourselves, we can bring them to God in repentance and ask Him to purify our hearts. The goal is not perfection, but growing sincerity.
Real devotion is ultimately about loving God for who He is. It is seeking His glory above our own and choosing faithfulness even when no one notices. Many of the most meaningful acts of obedience happen in private moments that never receive public recognition.
God sees those moments—the quiet prayer, the unseen kindness, the hidden sacrifice, and the humble heart that seeks Him. While people look at outward appearance, God looks at the heart. Genuine devotion is not measured by visibility, but by sincerity before Him.
Discussion Questions
- In what ways can the desire for recognition subtly influence even good spiritual practices like prayer, giving, or serving, and how can we guard our hearts against that influence?
- What are some practical ways you can cultivate a life of “hidden” faithfulness that focuses more on sincerity before God than visibility before others?