Is Virtue Signaling for Christians?

Is Virtue Signaling for Christians?

Virtue signaling is a relatively new term that started becoming popular in 2015. It can be defined as making a statement or performing an action that implies you are morally excellent. Virtue signaling can be something as simple as posting your charitable gift receipt on Facebook (to show everyone that you're a generous person).

The Sermon on the Mount

The Lord addressed the idea of virtue signaling in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1) long before it became a modern trend. Here the Lord refers to the hypocrites who love to do their alms (give money to the poor) so people can see them do it. 

The advice Jesus gives is not to let your right hand know what the left is doing (Matthew 6:3). In other words, keep your charitable activities—your virtue signaling—secret. If people happen to see it, so be it; but as the Lord says in Matthew 6:2, do not do it to be noticed.

God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance, and it is the heart that is of greater value to the Lord. As one old commentator writes, “the secrecy of our charity is one good evidence of its sincerity” (Matthew 6:1, William Burkitt Commentary on the New Testament, open source).

Does the New Testament Teach Christians to Virtue Signal?

Should Christians announce their Christian values? Scripture seems to indicate, no. We are told to study to be quiet, and do good to all men. We are not told to talk about our good works—but do them—quietly.

Matthew 5:16 seems to give an indication of what may be incorrectly concluded as a command to virtue signal, when we are told, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

This is not a reference to boasting or announcing our good works, or trying to impress others with our good deeds, because that is in conflict with what the Lord said in Matthew 6:1-4.

Jesus was telling us to live a life that is so obedient and filled with His Spirit, that others cannot help but notice our holy lifestyle and be drawn to Him through it.

We Are Fallen Creatures

It is our fallen human nature that leads us to proclaim our good deeds and good values. But, as Proverbs 20:6 (KJV) points out, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”

But we forget that our hearts are entirely wicked; so, the Lord tells us to let our words be few (See also James 1:19 and Proverbs 10:19). Perhaps in the social media era we live in, that could be translated as let your posts be few.

Looking at Jesus, our perfect example, He did not simply signal his virtues and expect people to follow Him, but rather lived them and proclaimed the word of God.

What Are We to Proclaim?

What we are told to proclaim is not "our" righteousness, but Christ’s—in the form of the Gospel.

Philippians 3:3-8 is a record of Paul’s good deeds that he considered to be dung. The only signaling that Christians ought to be engaged in, according to Paul, is telling people about Christ. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So much time is spent talking or posting about the good things "we" do—time that could be better used by sharing the good things we have in Christ.

John the Baptist

John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets, had an opportunity to signal his virtues but did not. When approached by priests and Levites, he was asked: Who are you? and, What do you say about yourself?

He could have told them about his morals, the great works he was doing, and how people should listen to him because he was a good guy. Instead, John showed us the answer to the virtue-signaling question. He said, “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” John pointed people away from himself, but toward Jesus Christ. May we learn to do the same.

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Author: Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Author Bio: Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher and an avid writer on practical theology currently residing in the Philippines. He has a wide range of experience and education from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields and writes articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, academic papers, and more. 

Photo by Ava Sol on Unplash

Where Is the Beauty That We Should Desire Him

Our Ebooks are for your enrichment and edification. They are free to download and share. 

FEATURED: Where Is the Beauty That We Should Desire Him

DOWNLOAD your free copy of this exposition of Isaiah 53 (.pdf format). It can be used as a personal devotional, for group study, or just for a good read. No gimmicks, no tricks, just sharing. 

OVERVIEW: These days in many churches, fellowships, and Christian organizations, there seems to be an almost overwhelming push to "make disciples" and on "ministry" but little emphasis on getting to know Christ more intimately and the fellowship of His sufferings. Revelation 2:4 reminds us that loving Jesus Christ is our first priority; and, if we focus on that, the works (including the "Great Commission," "making disciples", "ministry", and "soul-winning") will naturally follow, 

Sometimes referred to as the Gospel of the Old Testament, Isaiah 53 is one one of the most descriptive accounts of the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ (written 700 years before it happened). "Beauty..." is a closer look at the glory of the Lord through the eyes of Isaiah 53. It may be used as a devotional to bring us back to our First Love, to gain a deeper understanding of the chapter, or as an evangelical gift to bring friends or loved ones to see His beauty for the first time.

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Building a Faith Bridge

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17 KJV).

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, no one can come to the Father but through Him (John 14:6, paraphrased). That is the message of salvation, forgiveness, and grace the world should be "hearing" based on this passage. 

But for believers, our faith is built up by being in the Word: reading it, hearing it taught, studying it. Much like a bridge . . . 

"Whenever you see a bridge, let it serve as a symbol of how faith unites us with the living God and guides us to abundant life in Him. And keep in mind that a regular intake of Scripture reinforces our “bridge,” adding to its strength and stability" (In Touch Daily Devotional. March 12, 2024. Bridge to God’s Promises). 

— Photo by Cody Hiscox on Unsplash

Btw Where Did You Get That Income?

 

Apart from the obvious reasons, the book of Deuteronomy gives us a practical reason to be thankful for our income.

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God ...

“Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God... And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:11-18, KJV).

CONTEXT

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, a new generation of Israelites were getting ready to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land.

Moses was reminding the new generation about the great works of the Lord. Here they renewed their original covenant with God, to follow Him at Mt. Sinai.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18 was a specific reminder about getting wealth—making money. Since the Old Testament was written for our learning, these are still practical reminders for Christians today.

FAITH LESSON

Do we ever stop and consider with godly reverence what would happen if God had not granted us our skills, our job, our health to work, or our regular income?

When things are going well, we tend to forget God and neglect Him.

But rest assured, when things go wrong, we are right there pleading with Him to make things right.

Why not simply acknowledge God today for His blessings.

Moses' words to the Israelites remind us that everything comes from God. Just like our pets wait on us to feed them, so too we receive God's graciousness in this area of our lives.

REFLECTION

Am I thankful to God for my employment?

Am I thankful to God for my ability to make money?

Am I thankful to God for my health that permits me to work and earn?

SHARING

What are your personal implications for this reminder? Share in the comments.

END

Author: Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Author Bio: Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher and practical theology advocate in the Philippines, with a wide range of experience and education ranging from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields, who writes articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, academic papers, and more.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

Does God Tell Christians to Blindly Follow Him?

 

Christians may often hear comments that they're blindly following God. Or they may be asked why they blindly follow God. But when we study the Bible, we discover just the opposite.

God Does Not Want Us to Be "Ignorant"

Several times in the New Testament epistles we read not to be ignorant (e.g., Romans 1:13, 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1, 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 2 Peter 3:8). Ignorance means unenlightened or not knowing something—and God doesn't want that for His people.

He's given us His word to help us know what we need in this life. He's even told us what to expect in the future. The only blindness involved is our own failure to read and study the Bible.

The Lord Says, "Search" the Scriptures (John 5:39)

Jesus told the Jews, many of which wanted to kill Him, to search the Scriptures because, He said, the Scriptures speak of Him.

The Lord wants us to search the Bible to know Him more. There's no suggestion of blindness here—we're invited to follow the Lord with understanding.

In Isaiah 1:18, God invites us to reason with Him about our sinful state. That means He welcomes questions and is in the enlightening business.

God Tells Us to "Study" (2 Timothy 2:15)

We're told to study to show ourselves approved of God, so we don't have to be ashamed and to learn how to rightly divide the word of truth. That doesn't sound like God asking His people to follow Him blindly.

Jesus Christ Came to "Reveal" the Father to Us

The most telling evidence against blindly following God is Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus came to reveal God the Father to us (e.g., John 1:18, Matthew 11:27, Colossians 1:15) so that we would not be left in the dark (Luke 4:18). That doesn't sound like God who wanting people to blindly follow Him.

He walked the earth, taught, healed people, suffered, and died on a cross, then rose the third day—all so people could see the path to God through Him (John 14:6).

Final Thoughts

There is no need for Christians to blindly follow God—He's revealed Himself to us through His word; revealed His plans and purposes, the future, and our condition. He even sent His Son to reveal Himself and reconcile us to God.

God doesn't even mind if we ask questions—God encourages them, so we do not have to be in the dark. We may tend to forget that God is a big God and He can take it because in the end, all truth points to Him (John 17:17, Titus 1:2).

Rather than follow God blindly, Christians are encouraged to ask questions, seek answers, study the Bible, and walk according to Proverbs 3:5 when things don't make sense just yet.