“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. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Mat 6:1-6)
I’ve done it. You probably have too. We wear our faith on sleeves, not in the intent to honor our message, our Master, and our hope, but in pride. I remember throughout Middle School/Jr. High, I would carry around my Leather-bound King James, make a show of reading it between classes, make a show in informing my teacher that evolution never happened and generally be an all around Pharisee.
Of course I’m not saying that there is no place for public acts of faith. The Church coming together to pray, speaking up against injustice and hate and sin. Expressing Love to our neighbors and those in needs. These can all be fine things, and give glory to God. The problem is, we need to keep our pride in check when we act out our faith in public. We need to ask ourselves “am I doing this in order to obey my master and further the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, or am I doing this to show everyone how Christian I am and to stroke my own ego?”
Christ, and Him Crucified 