Here we see that Jesus wants sincerity and integrity of heart when it comes to our devotion. Indeed, the verse right after this sees Jesus calling such people “hypocrites”, using a Greek term for “stage actors“. Jesus doesn’t want wayang.

What these people were doing wasn’t wrong – it simply wasn’t consistent with what was in their hearts. God will always be able to tell if we’re doing something for Him or for man’s praise; people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

In the different areas of our lives, are we walking right to please an audience of One? Today, ask God for a pure heart.