Several Christians mark the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday, and, depending on where you live, you may see them marking their foreheads with ash in the sign of the cross. One of the most humorous examples of this is the sorority girl down in South Louisiana announcing she will be giving up Instagram for Lent, with one last selfie of the sullied forehead. Given that you may stumble across this hypocrisy and have questions, here is the exhortation:

“Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Joel 2:13).

The spirit of the age wants to flaunt before men. It will flaunt corruptions, and it will flaunt fastings and prayers. That spirit is driven away by the LORD smashing our spirit: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Jesus said that when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites with a sad countenance, “for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast” (Matthew 6:16). The trouble is that such people “have their reward” (Matthew 6:16), and it is not a very big one. Just look at how sad and dirty they are. But when you fast, Jesus says to “wash your face” so men don’t think you are fasting. Your Father will see this in secret and will reward you openly (Matthew 6:17).