EKKLESIA YOUTH DEVOTIONAL — DAY 2

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"Fake Spiritual" — When Your Faith Becomes a Performance

 

📖 BIG IDEA

Being religious and being real with God are two totally different things—and God can tell the difference.

 

✝️ BIBLE VERSE

Matthew 23:5 (NLT) "Everything they do is done for people to see."

Also check out:

Philippians 2:3 (NLT) "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves."

 

📚 STORY/TEACHING

The Fake Spiritual Leader

Imagine someone at youth group who:

• Always has their Bible out where everyone can see it

• Posts "God is good 🙏" on every story

• Prays the longest, loudest prayers

• But behind the scenes? They gossip, put people down, and only help when someone's watching

 

That's what Jesus called out in Matthew 23.

 

The religious leaders back then wore special boxes on their heads (phylacteries) that had Scripture inside—but they made them extra big so people would notice how "spiritual" they were. They made sure everyone saw them praying. They wanted the best seats at church. They loved being called "Teacher" and "Rabbi."

 

But Jesus said: "Everything they do is done for people to see."

They weren't trying to please God. They were trying to impress people.

Here's the hard truth: Your ego doesn't go away just because you start using God's name.

Sometimes it just gets sneakier. It learns to:

• Quote Bible verses to win arguments

• Use "God told me" to get its way

• Post about faith to look good online

• Defend itself by saying "Don't judge me"

 

But real faith? Real faith is different.

 

Real faith: ✅ Prays in private, not just in public
✅ Serves even when no one's watching
✅ Can take correction without getting defensive
✅ Points to Jesus, not to itself
✅ Cares more about being real than looking good

Jesus never got mad at people for being weak or struggling.

But He called out people who were fake—who used religion to make themselves look better, feel superior, or control others.

 

✅ CHALLENGE — DO THIS TODAY

BE REAL, NOT FAKE

 

1. CHECK YOUR MOTIVES

Ask yourself honestly:

• Do I only post about God when I want people to think I'm spiritual?

• Do I pray differently when people are listening?

• Do I get jealous when someone else gets recognized at church or youth group?

• Am I nicer to people in public than I am at home?

Write down ONE thing the Holy Spirit is pointing out. Don't lie to yourself.

 

2. DO SOMETHING SECRET

Do something good today that nobody will ever know about:

• Pray for someone without telling them

• Clean up something at home without being asked

• Encourage someone anonymously

• Help someone without posting it

If your faith needs an audience, it's not faith—it's a performance.

 

3. REPENT IF YOU NEED TO

If God's showing you that you've been fake—own it. Tell Him:

"God, I've been more worried about looking spiritual than actually being close to You. I've used Your name to make myself look good. I've cared more about likes and comments than about my actual relationship with You. Forgive me. I want to be real, not fake. Change my heart."

 

 

🙏 PRAYER

God,

I don't want to be fake. I don't want to use Your name to make myself look good.

I confess: sometimes I care more about what people think than what You think. Sometimes I act one way at church and a totally different way at home or school. Sometimes I post spiritual stuff just to look like I have it all together.

I'm sorry.

Strip away the act. I don't want to perform for people. I want to surrender to You.

Teach me how to be real. Help me care more about my private obedience than my public image.

I want to be close to You, not just look like I am.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

 

🎨 BONUS: REFLECT

Answer this honestly (write it down or think about it):

"Am I following Jesus—or just trying to look like I am?"

If you can't answer that confidently, talk to God about it. He's not mad at you. He just wants you to be real with Him.

 

FINAL WORD

Listen—God doesn't need you to perform. He's not impressed by how many Bible verses you know or how spiritual you sound.

He just wants your heart. Your real heart.

Not the version you show people online.
Not the version you put on at church.
The real you.

Day 2 is about getting honest with God and with yourself.

Stop faking. Start surrendering.

 

LoveUMoreThanUKnow,
Pastor Stephän
Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries