THE HEART GOD SEES

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:14-18.

In Matthew 6, Jesus continues teaching His disciples what genuine righteousness looks like. After addressing prayer, He turns to two challenging subjects: forgiveness and fasting. At first glance, these topics may seem unrelated, but Jesus connects them through a common theme—the condition of the heart.

Jesus begins with forgiveness: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). These words can be uncomfortable because forgiveness rarely feels easy. When someone hurts us, our natural instinct is often to hold on to the offense. We replay the event in our minds, justify our anger, and sometimes carry bitterness far longer than we realize.

Yet Jesus teaches that forgiven people should become forgiving people.

This does not mean pretending the hurt never happened or ignoring injustice. Rather, forgiveness is choosing to release the debt someone owes us and entrusting judgment to God. It reflects the grace we ourselves have received through Christ. When we remember how much God has forgiven us, it becomes harder to justify withholding forgiveness from others.

Jesus then shifts to fasting, another spiritual practice often misunderstood. In His day, some people fasted in ways designed to attract attention. They made sure everyone knew how spiritual and sacrificial they were. Their reward was the admiration of others.

Jesus offered a different approach. He instructed His followers to wash their faces and go about their day as usual while fasting. The goal was not public recognition but private devotion. Fasting was intended to draw a person closer to God, not closer to applause.

Both forgiveness and fasting reveal something important about spiritual growth: God is interested in what happens beneath the surface.

It is possible to perform religious activities while harboring an unforgiving heart. It is possible to appear spiritually mature while secretly seeking others’ approval. Jesus consistently challenges this kind of outward religion. He calls His followers to authenticity.

The Father sees what others cannot. He sees the resentment we carry, the motives behind our actions, and the desires that shape our decisions. While people evaluate appearances, God looks at the heart. He sees the private sacrifice. He sees the sincere desire to honor Him when there is no audience.

Jesus reminds us that true spiritual maturity is not about impressing people. It is about cultivating a heart that pleases God.

And the wonderful news is that the Father sees every sincere step of obedience, even the ones no one else notices.

Discussion Questions

1. Is there a person or situation in your life where God may be calling you to practice forgiveness?
2. How can you guard against seeking recognition from others in your spiritual life while focusing instead on pleasing God?