“Who Are You Trying to Prove Holy To?”

Text: Galatians 1:10; Matthew 6:1–6; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 14:4
1. The Danger of Performative Holiness


“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1)

There is a form of holiness that looks impressive—but is empty.
It prays loudly, fasts visibly, speaks Scripture fluently, and appears disciplined—yet its audience is not God.

Jesus did not warn pagans here.
He warned the religious.

The question is not:


Are you holy?
But:


Who is watching when you try to be holy?

Many believers:


Dress holiness for people


Speak holiness for reputation


Act holiness to silence critics


Perform holiness to feel superior

This is not devotion.
This is spiritual performance.
2. The Craving Behind Fake Holiness: Approval


“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” (Galatians 1:10)

At the root of false holiness is a craving:


To be admired


To be respected


To be seen as “spiritual”

Some try to prove holiness:


To pastors


To church members


To family


To social media


Even to other believers they secretly compete with

But Scripture is blunt:


“If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

You cannot serve two audiences.

Holiness directed toward people will always drift into:


Hypocrisy


Comparison


Pride


Burnout
3. Acting Holy Is a Symptom of Forgotten Grace


“Having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)

When grace fades from memory, performance takes its place.

People who act holy often:


Forget where God rescued them from


Replace gratitude with image management


Substitute obedience with appearance

True holiness flows from:


“I was forgiven much — therefore I love much.”

False holiness flows from:


“I must look righteous — or I lose value.”
4. God Is Not Impressed — He Is Searching the Heart


“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

God is not fooled by:


Raised hands


Religious vocabulary


Perfect behavior in public


Spiritual routines done for display

God asks:


Why do you obey?


Who are you trying to impress?


Are you the same when no one is watching?


Holiness that vanishes in secret was never holiness — it was theater.
5. The Fear That Drives Performance Holiness


“The fear of man brings a snare.” (Proverbs 29:25)

Acting holy often comes from fear:


Fear of rejection


Fear of exposure


Fear of not measuring up


Fear of being “less spiritual”

So we perform.
But fear-driven holiness will always collapse.

Why?
Because:


People change


Expectations increase


Applause fades

Only God’s acceptance sustains obedience.
6. The Freedom of Living Before One Audience


“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9)

The most mature believer is not the loudest,
not the strictest,
not the most visible—
but the one most content to be unseen.

Freedom comes when you settle this:


“God sees me — and that is enough.”

When God is your audience:


Obedience becomes joy


Repentance becomes honest


Holiness becomes natural


Love becomes sincere
7. A Final Question for the Soul

If no one:


Praised your obedience


Noticed your discipline


Affirmed your spirituality

Would you still follow Christ?

If the answer is no,
then holiness has become a mask.

But if the answer is yes,
then grace has truly taken root.
Closing Exhortation

Stop acting holy.
Start walking humbly.

Stop proving.
Start abiding.

You do not need to convince people you are righteous.
Christ already declared you righteous by His blood.


Live holy — not to be seen,
but because you are seen by God.