The Greatest Show: Is Your Faith Performance?

If you’ve seen a musical theater production at your local high school or on a Broadway stage, you’ve felt the power of an act I finale. Everything comes together in the last moments before intermission: the orchestra swells, the ensemble marches forward, and the main character belts one final note. The audience holds its breath, hearts pounding, and then the curtain falls.

The best first act finale songs propel you forward, raising the stakes so high that you become invested in what happens next. Growing up as a community theater kid, those became my favorite audition songs. I learned quickly that if you could land the notes and emotional arc, you’d hold the room in your hand. 

My last audition song was from the musical version of Little Women. At the end of act 1, Jo March sings through determination and tears, declaring to the world that one day she’d be astonishing. At the time that was my goal as well. I wanted casting teams to believe I was impressive. Talented. Someone to remember. 

Astonishing.

Fifteen years later (and long since my acting career ended) I’ve noticed that cultivating a presence that people take notice of isn’t limited to the arts. It wears an even more convincing costume in real life, even—and perhaps especially—in the church. We want to be viewed as someone worth knowing, someone worth listening to, and someone worth applauding.

The desire to have a godly reputation isn’t wrong, but the danger comes when our focus shifts from genuine transformation in Christ to carefully crafted perception. It’s a tale as old as time and worth pausing to ask: do you care more about appearing faithful, gracious, and surrendered to Christ than actually walking in an authentic relationship with Jesus?

The Reputation Trap

The temptation to appear in a better light than we ought shows up throughout Scripture. Think about it: Peter denied Jesus three times to maintain his own reputation (Matt. 26:69–75). King Saul cared more about appearing honorable than genuinely repenting (1 Sam. 15). The rich young ruler wanted to be viewed as righteous but walked away when he realized truly living that way would cost him (Matt. 19:16–22). 

And I have spent far too much energy managing the way others will perceive me instead of living out the identity Jesus died to give. 

I recently read through a few familiar chapters in Matthew and noticed Jesus repeated a three-word phrase. As you read the following verses, watch for the repetition:

• “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1) 
• “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5).
• “They do everything to be seen by others.” (Matthew 23:5).

To be seen. “To be a spectacle.” The verb refers to “being or becoming a sight that stimulates the moral and mental faculties in an impressive (and often astonishing) way.”¹

When I came across the word “astonishing” in that definition, it felt like a personal indictment. 

One scholar noted that Matthew 6:1 could be literally translated this way: “‘Watch out that you do not do your righteousness in front of other people in order to be theater to them.’” In his commentary, he observed that Jesus called people “who do their ‘righteousness’ this way hypokritai—‘performers’— the literal translation of the word rendered ‘hypocrites.’” Or, he says, as “show-offs.”²

Even in light of the performing I did as a kid, the thought of being referred to as a “show-off” horrifies me. You’re probably the same way. No one wants to be called a hypocrite or accused of trying to impress others in such an embarrassing way. 

That’s one reason it’s tempting to read what Jesus says in Matthew and believe it was meant for them—the religious leaders of His time, and perhaps for those today who would be a close equivalent. But rewind to the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount and look at who Jesus was addressing:

When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them. (Matthew 5:1)

By the end of the Sermon on the Mount, crowds had gathered (7:28–29), but this teaching was meant for Jesus’ disciples, the committed group of followers He was training and calling to repentance and obedience.

Jesus understood that as they learned of His transformed way of living, they’d see the unmatched beauty and glory of a life that truly reflects the Lord. But He also knew the trap His disciples would face—and it’s one you may be caught in as well. 

Once you catch a glimpse of the Christian life Jesus has called you to, you start imagining how impressed others will be if you start to embrace it. Without realizing it, you stop engaging in acts of service or worship simply to please Him . . . but instead as a means of building your spiritual resume and enhancing your reputation. 

Theatrical Righteousness 

Are you performing when you serve?

In Matthew 6:1–4, “Reputation rather than relief of poverty was what mattered to them. Jesus [taught] that it is important to give, not to be known to give.”³ What about you? When you give of what you have (your money, time, energy, skills, words, or attention) . . .

• Do you feel disappointed when others don’t notice or appreciate your generosity?
• Do you get upset when others don’t appreciate the sacrifices you make? 
• Do you believe people would respect you more if they saw you were generous?
• Would you still give as much if no one ever found out? 

Are you performing when you pray?

In Matthew 6:5–8, Jesus’ concern was similar. Prayer isn’t meant to increase your reputation but as a way to commune with God. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pray publicly (see Psalm 22:22; 1 Tim. 2:8; or Acts 2:42), but it does mean that you shouldn’t pray to impress others. 

• Do you pray differently when others are listening? 
• Do you use certain words or tone to sound more spiritual?
• Do you pray longer in groups than you do in private?
• Do you try to be the first person to respond to a prayer request?
• Do you hope those around you are impressed by how much you pray for others?
• Would you still pray as fervently if no one ever knew? 

Are you living to be seen by others?

In Matthew 23, several chapters after the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus once again spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. The Pharisees “do everything to be seen by others,” Jesus said (v. 5). As He spoke, His teaching wasn’t simply criticism at the Pharisees and those living hypocritically; it encouraged others to not take the same superficial approach. He was calling them to authenticity and freedom. 

• Are you afraid that if people saw who you really are, it wouldn’t be enough? Remember the truth of the gospel. There’s no part of you that’s not covered by Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7). In Him, you are fully accepted, forgiven, and loved (Eph. 1:7).

• Do you feel the pressure to always have the right answer or say the right thing in Bible study? Your identity isn’t in your knowledge but in being known by Christ and filled with His grace (2 Cor. 12:9). 

• Are you burned out by needing to impress others with your spiritual activities? Rest is found in Jesus, who invites you to find peace in His finished work on the cross (Matt. 11:28; Heb. 4:9–10). 

• Would your faith look different if no one could see your devotion? Make it your goal to be more godly in private than in public, knowing that your heavenly Father sees it all and rewards those who serve Him with a heart devoted to Him (Matt. 6:6; Col. 3:23–24).

• Have you been more focused on curating a righteous reputation than actually living righteously? Repent of the ways you’ve lived for others, and ask the Lord to help you live for Him. He is faithful, and His Spirit is able to help you live authentically (Gal. 1:10).

Nothing you can do will make Jesus love you more, and nothing you have hidden from others in an attempt to impress them will make Him love you less. You don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to perform. Release your reputation to Him, and live out the righteousness Jesus has made possible for you. 

Brighter than the Sun

In the final ninety seconds of act I of Little Women, Jo March sings about her desire to “shine as brightly as the sun,” and then the curtains fall. She’s fictional, of course, but that character’s reputation and achievements have the same earthly limitations as our own. Even if she was to achieve all her dreams, those she impressed would move on. Her accomplishments wouldn’t live on forever. Her light would only shine so far. 

I’m sure I sang “Astonishing” as Jo March hundreds of times as a teen. These days, the Lord has left a hymn on my heart as I learn to let go of my reputation and the need to impress others. 

Should nothing of our efforts stand,
No legacy survive,
Unless the Lord does raise the house,
In vain its builders strive.

To you who boast tomorrow’s gain,
Tell me, what is your life?
A mist, it vanishes at dawn,
All glory be to Christ!⁴

Take it from a retired performer: the spotlight and applause, when they come, never last long enough to satisfy. But the radiance of Christ will shine forever (Is. 60:19–20). His glory alone will endure. Make it your ambition to lay down your reputation before the feet of Jesus, knowing His approval is all that truly matters.

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¹ “To Be Seen” definition, Logos Bible Study software.

² Frederick Dale Bruner, Matthew: A Commentary: The Christbook, Matthew 1–12, Revised and Expanded Edition, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2007), 283.

³ Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 136.

⁴ Lyrics from Joy Has Dawned, released 27 November 2012. Words by Dustin Kensrue, arrangement by Kings Kaleidoscope / © Dead Bird Theology (ASCAP), It’s All About Jesus Music (ASCAP)
HT: Dan Huff.