In the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught against hypocrisy and gave three examples of the practice.

     First, He mentioned doing “charitable deeds before men to be seen by them” (Mt. 6:1-4). Those who are motivated by the praise of men “sound the trumpet” to draw the attention, in order to be praised for their deeds. Jesus said, “they have their reward.”

Second, He discussed praying “to be seen of men” (6:5-15). The hypocrites liked to impress people with their piety by standing in the synagogues and on the street corners and reciting long prayers. Jesus said, “paid in full.”

Third, fasting was not to be done as a pious display to impress others (6:16-18). If they wanted to fast, Jesus said “anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to fast.”

This does not mean that it is wrong for men to see our good works, hear us pray or know that we are fasting. The Bible records the charitable gift of Barnabas (Acts 4:36,37). The Corinthians were to pray so men could hear them (1 Cor. 14:15,16), and brethren in Antioch fasted (Acts 13:1-3), but none of these were done for show.

The difference between genuine obedience and hypocrisy is attitude.