Instagram LogoThere are some things that have become popularized in America’s Christian churches over the years that seem completely contradictory to what Jesus told His followers to do. Take fasting as a corporate body for example. I’ve seen many times where a church will say something like “as a body we are going to start the year with our annual fasting time…” and then go on to explain why. But Jesus had a lot to say about us practicing our righteousness for others to see. As it regards to fasting for example, He said: “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:16-18‬ ‭CSB‬‬ Is it sinful to fast together? It doesn’t appear to be. But when we do things publicly that are meant only to be between us and God, it seems we may miss out on the real reward..:which is supposed to be the whole purpose of fasting: connecting deeper with God. When we are so focused on our fasting being about doing it together and everyone else knowing about it, God knows our heart, and perhaps He gives us what we REALLY wanted: the earthly reward of recognition from other people. I don’t know about you but I’ll take God’s recognition over man’s any day. Today on Bible Study Live we will talk about some common ways that we may be missing out on God’s rewards by following church trends. YouTube.com/Jesusway #fasting #prayer #church #religion #reconstructingFaith #christianity #christianitytoday #reformation #orthodoxy #christianitypost #christianity101 #progressive #christianityquotes #biblicalchristianity #christianmemes #deconstruction