“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;” – Matthew 6:18 (KJV)
“But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face,” – Matthew 6:18 (NLT)
“When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you go into training inwardly, act normal outwardly.” – Matthew 6:18 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 6:18 Mean?
Matthew 6:18 is part of a teaching given by Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount, where He discusses various aspects of faith, morality, and how we should conduct ourselves when practicing our spirituality. In this particular verse, Jesus addresses the act of fasting, which is a common spiritual discipline where an individual abstains from food to focus on prayer and communion with God.
In essence, He urges us to maintain a humble appearance while fasting instead of drawing attention to ourselves. When Jesus says to wash our faces and anoint our heads, He is instructing us to carry on with our daily routines so that our fasting isn’t done for show. The true essence of fasting lies in its spiritual significance and our personal relationship with God. It shouldn’t be a spectacle for others to witness; it should instead be a private matter between us and the Lord.
Matthew 6:18 Explanation and Commentary
As we reflect on Matthew 6:18, we can observe that the main message revolves around sincerity in our faith and devotion to God. By urging us to act normally while we fast, Jesus highlights the importance of humility and authenticity in our spiritual practices. Fasting should not be a means of gaining social status or recognition among peers but rather a way to deepen our connection with God.
In this teaching, Jesus emphasizes the heart’s posture rather than merely going through the motions of religious activities. He reminds us that God sees our hearts and knows our true intentions. The verse further connects with Matthew 6:16-17, where Jesus mentions that fasting should be done privately so that we can receive our reward from God. This reiterates the idea that our faith is personal and should not be performed for public acclaim.
We understand that when we approach fasting with sincerity, it leads to a more profound transformation within ourselves. The act of denying our physical needs helps us focus on spiritual growth, leading to a deeper understanding of our faith. Jesus’ instructions guide us toward being genuine in our practice, ensuring that our actions reflect our relationship with God rather than our desire for approval from others.
In apostolic letters, we also find similar encouragement regarding maintaining sincerity in faith and spiritual practices. For instance, in Colossians 3:23, we are encouraged to work heartily as for the Lord and not for men. This inspires us to embrace our faith without seeking recognition or accolades, focusing instead on our relationship with Christ.
Context of Matthew 6:18
The context of Matthew 6:18 is crucial to understanding its significance. This verse falls within a broader context where Jesus teaches about various spiritual practices, including almsgiving and prayer. In Matthew Chapter 6, He emphasizes the importance of motivations behind our actions rather than simply following the laws or rituals.
As we read the Sermon on the Mount, we realize that Jesus challenges the prevailing understanding of faith during that time. Jewish tradition placed significant emphasis on external appearances and rituals. Jesus directed His listeners towards a more meaningful, inward reflection of faith that seeks a true relationship with God beyond outward expressions.
By placing fasting within this teaching, we see that it is not merely an act of abstaining from food but an opportunity to engage in a deeper spiritual experience. This context is vital, as it encourages us to ponder the relationship between our spiritual practices and our inner motivations. It also invites us to examine the depth of our faith and how we live it out.
As we look closer, we can connect this teaching to other biblical passages where the theme of genuine worship is addressed. In Isaiah 58, God questions the people about their fasting rituals and points out that their hearts were far from Him. This is a clear indication that God values the sincerity of our practices over the formality we often impose upon them. Recognizing this context helps us see the call to faith as being deeply personal and relational.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 6:18
To grasp Matthew 6:18 better, let us break down key elements of this verse. When Jesus instructs us to wash our faces and groom ourselves while fasting, it highlights the importance of our outward demeanor being consistent with our inner commitments. Our lives should reflect our faith positively, demonstrating a sense of joy and peace derived from our relationship with God.
Moreover, these actions symbolize normalcy rather than a display of self-denial. By appearing normal, we avoid attracting undue attention to ourselves. This allows our fasting to be an authentic expression of our commitment to God, rather than a means of self-exaltation. This ties closely to Galatians 1:10, where Paul writes about the importance of seeking God’s approval rather than the approval of men. It shifts our focus toward pleasing God over conforming to societal expectations.
The mention of fasting itself is another essential component of this verse. Fasting is a practice observed in both the Old and New Testaments. It serves as a spiritual discipline that enables us to dedicate time for prayer, reflection, and depending on God. When we look at the life of Jesus, He often withdrew to lonely places to pray, showing us the importance of spiritual refreshment (Luke 5:16). Fasting complements this, allowing us to take a break from worldly distractions to hear God’s voice clearly.
This deeper look into fasting reveals its richness as we practice it to connect with God, seek His guidance, and draw closer to Him. It becomes a tool for our spiritual growth rather than an act seeking fame or recognition.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 6:18
As we reflect on Matthew 6:18, we gather several valuable lessons applicable to our spiritual lives. One key takeaway is the importance of sincerity in our faith practices. When we engage in spiritual disciplines, such as fasting or prayer, it is essential that our hearts remain focused on God. He desires our authentic devotion, above all else.
Another important lesson is the significance of humility. Jesus’ teachings encourage us to practice humility in our spiritual walk. By avoiding attention-seeking behavior, we remind ourselves that our relationship with God does not depend on how others perceive us. True humility expresses itself through our genuine engagement with God and our willingness to submit to His will.
We also recognize the transformative nature of fasting. It serves as a reminder of God’s sustenance and our dependence on Him. As we shift our focus from physical food to spiritual nourishment, we create space for deeper spiritual insight and growth. Fasting is a form of worship that expresses our longing for God and our desire to seek Him wholeheartedly.
Furthermore, this passage encourages us to practice our faith in a manner pleasing to God. We challenge ourselves to live out our beliefs with integrity, ensuring that our actions and words align with the truth of the Gospel. This alignment leads to authentic living that shines as a light to others as mentioned in Matthew 5:16.
Lastly, we are reminded of the collective journey of faith. We don’t fast or pray only for ourselves, but our actions can influence our communities as well. When we engage in sincere spiritual practices, we contribute positively to our faith community, encouraging others to draw closer to God. Our walk with God inspires those around us to pursue their spiritual journey authentically and with passion.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Matthew 6:18 offers us profound insights into how we approach fasting and, more broadly, our relationship with God. It calls us to be genuine in our spiritual practices, reminding us that God values our hearts over mere appearances. When we embrace humility and sincerity in our actions, we allow our faith to become a true reflection of our commitment to God.
As we seek to grow in our faith, let us remember the essential lesson that Jesus imparted: our practices should seek God’s glory rather than ours. By keeping our focus on our relationship with Him, we can experience the transformative nature of prayer, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines.
If you’re looking for further inspiration, you can explore more topics on the importance of prayer and its impact on our lives at Matthew 11. Or discover more about the creation narrative by visiting Genesis 1:26-31. Every moment spent in God’s presence and every lesson learned lead us closer to understanding His heart and purposes.