To What Extent Should We Humble Our Works?

[Eric Latham]

Matthew 6:16-18 "“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

This verse has repeated in my head over and over again for the past few weeks and I am just curious how "secret" this fasting should be. I felt guilty yesterday at church because I had mentioned that I was running into conflict with my mom because I was called to fast but she did not want me to so I brought it up with the father of one of my christian friends and I also brought it up with another church leader asking him to pray for me. 5 people know that I am fasting. I don't point it out to anyone because I'm not doing it for me but for God but if I should be doing it in secret then should I not tell anyone at all? I just feel a lot of conflict over this verse because I ended up lying to get out of someone's suspicion of why I wasn't eating. But if I told them I was fasting then that would expose my works. I really need some assistance on understanding the limits. I think I may be pushing them too far because I felt really guilty for telling those few people that I was fasting. Should I have not told them?

[hearingGod]

if you're looking gloomy on purpose... "disfigure their faces"... it's all 'look at me' precept. for the whole world to see... because if you see 100 people you know in one day... how many of them would be concerned that you're not eating? you're not broadcasting it to everyone... you just edu the people that are asking. That's quite diff. than telling all 100!

Telling them isn't boasting....its just being real...non-duplicity....no guile there!

Evil spirits can be 'religious' too... so religious that you throw the baby out w/ the bathwater. guilt, turmoil, doing it wrong, not good enuff etc.

but other issues....did you eventually get your mom's blessing or you just doing it? that of course is a fine line i can't judge on, cuz we are to honor them (esp. when under their roof) - but then we are to love God above all & be obedient... so all i can think of is speaking the dilemma to God & asking him to make the way.
but the lying thing is well.... u kno LOL.

ya know when i've had people pry... the whole fasting declaration always turns into a witnessing tool.

anyways.... guilt seems to be hammering you a lot.... do get out the hammer of the Word & smack that thing out : )

[Eric Latham]

Haha thanks. I guess I just hold myself to a really high standard and its not necessarily guilt but more uncertainty. Like a "Should I have done that?" thought and sometimes I just analyze it over and over again in every perspective. I do this because I don't want to be led astray and not be aware of it so I stay super vigilant to make sure I don't dishonor God. I am obeying my mom under this fast. The conflict I was talking about was me trying to convince her for me to do a 30 day liquid fast. She approves of how I am fasting right now.

[warrior]

Satan knows the scriptures better than the pharisees did. he will quote things at you out of context to bring shame and guilt in order to create distance between you and God. When he has you feeling unworthy he has you denying the power of the works of Jesus Christ who has already defeated him. Recognise his attacks - killing, stealing and destroying. If your joy is stolen you are under attack.
Jesus can look right into your heart. He knows your motive to draw closer to Him. The best thing is that if you do get it wrong there is no condemnation. satan is under the law, we are not. We are forgiven.
A father doesn't stop loving his child because he falls off his bike. He rejoices that his son doesnt get discouraged and keeps getting back on. It is sad if the child stops trying to ride the bike but even then he may get back on - hope is never extinguished. The father knows that child will fall less often and that one day the boy and the bike will be as one.