The interior life
Estimated Reading time: 5 minutes · Written by Judy MooreIn the hustle and noise of our modern world, the call to cultivate a quiet, inward spiritual life can often feel elusive. Yet, in the teachings of Jesus, there is a profound invitation to connect with God in ways that are intimate, authentic, and deeply personal. Through His words, Jesus reminds us that true faith is not about performance but about the quiet devotion we nurture when no one else is watching.
A quiet faith
In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks powerfully about the importance of spiritual practices done in secret. He emphasises that acts of giving, prayer, and fasting are best done away from public view. This teaching challenges the common tendency to equate faithfulness with public recognition or approval. Instead, Jesus calls His followers to embrace a quieter, more intimate form of devotion—one that stems from a heart fully surrendered to Him.
This emphasis on secrecy is not meant to suggest that community or shared worship are unimportant. Rather, Jesus highlights the need for authenticity in our relationship with God. When we practice our faith in secret, we resist the temptation to seek approval or applause. Instead, we nurture a deeper connection with God, where our motives are pure and our hearts are undivided.
Creating space for Jesus
In our busy lives, it's easy to neglect the quiet moments where intimacy with Jesus flourishes. Yet those unseen moments are where our relationship with Him deepens. Creating space for Jesus can take many forms:
Quiet Moments of Reflection: Whether in the early hours of the morning, during a lunch break, or before bed, dedicating quiet time for prayer and reflection allows Jesus to speak into our hearts.
Acts of Private Kindness: Offering help to someone without seeking credit reflects the kind of selfless love Jesus encourages. These quiet acts of service reveal a heart that prioritises God’s glory over personal recognition.
Fasting in Secrecy: Jesus' teaching on fasting encourages us to seek God’s presence privately. In those moments of sacrifice, we are reminded that spiritual strength is forged in quiet surrender.
Creating space for Jesus is not about adding more to our to-do lists; it’s about cultivating moments of stillness where His presence can speak more clearly into our lives.
The heart behind the actions
The core of Jesus’ message in Matthew 6 is about the condition of the heart. Performing righteous acts for the sake of recognition distorts the beauty of those acts. Jesus reminds us that God sees what is done in secret—not as a way of instilling fear, but as a comfort that our quiet acts of love are never overlooked.
This focus on the heart highlights the importance of authenticity in our faith journey. An undivided heart—one that is wholly committed to Jesus—reflects a life marked by humility, trust, and genuine love. By focusing less on external displays of faith and more on cultivating an intimate relationship with God, we align ourselves with Jesus’ invitation to seek Him fully.
Embracing an undivided heart
Living with an undivided heart requires intentionality. It calls us to examine our motives, ensuring that our spiritual practices are driven by love rather than the desire for approval.
To cultivate an undivided heart:
Examine Your Motives: Regularly reflect on why you engage in spiritual practices. Are they done to be seen by others, or are they expressions of love for God?
Embrace Hidden Acts of Worship: Practice giving, prayer, and fasting in ways that only God sees. These quiet acts develop a deeper sense of intimacy with Him.
Prioritise Stillness: Amid the busyness of life, set aside time for silent prayer and reflection. In stillness, we create room for Jesus to speak directly to our hearts.
Surrender Control: Trusting Jesus with every part of your life, even in the unseen moments, cultivates a heart fully devoted to Him.
The reward of quiet devotion
Jesus’ promise is clear: "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:4). This reward is not about earthly praise or material gain but rather the immeasurable joy of knowing God more intimately. It is the peace that comes from a life anchored in His presence, the strength that grows from trusting Him fully, and the comfort of His unwavering love.
In choosing to follow Jesus’ teaching, we discover that the unseen moments of prayer, kindness, and fasting are not just spiritual disciplines—they are sacred encounters where our hearts are transformed. It’s in those quiet spaces that we truly find ourselves in the presence of Jesus, experiencing the fullness of His love.
The call to cultivate a quiet, inward faith is an invitation to experience Jesus more deeply. In a world that often values visibility and recognition, choosing to practice our faith in secret stands as a countercultural act of trust. By creating space for Jesus, nurturing an undivided heart, and embracing the beauty of quiet devotion, we open ourselves to a life of deeper intimacy with Him. As we do so, we find that His presence is not only enough—it is everything.
The original teaching has been edited for clarity and brevity; This is not a transcript.