3 Secrets Jesus Asked Christians to Keep

One thing our generation strongly advocates is self-promotion. We’re told that self-promotion isn’t bragging or being boastful—it’s simply personal branding.

We’re advised to invest in marketing our skills, schemes, and successes, as this can open doors for us. And it’s true: if you’re skilled and market yourself well, doors of opportunity—like income, influence, and impact—will open.

But there’s a thin line between self-promotion and being boastful. Many things we seek applause for today might fall on the wrong side of that line.

Here are three things we often do publicly for human praise, but Jesus instructed His followers to keep secret:

1. Jesus said, “Do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.”

It’s humane to feel the infirmities of humanity. Personally, I’ve dedicated my life to serving both God and humanity. My NGO, Gracedflow, was born out of that dedication.

I’m also aware that NGOs rely on donations and that starting Gracedflow from my own pocket set me back financially.

However, many charitable deeds are best kept to ourselves, especially those for which we’re not actively seeking help. Jesus said not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Acts of kindness done in secret should stay behind the scenes.

When you give a gift to a beggar, don’t make a fuss like the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the churches and streets to draw attention to their charity. Yes, you might gain influence, impact, and even income from this—but that’s all you’ll get.

You won’t receive a reward from your Father in heaven. God is pleased with your good works, but He wants to be the one to bless you or determine how to reward you for lending to the poor.

2. Jesus said, “Pray to your Father who is in the secret place.”

Prayer is essential to our Christian walk. So much so that Apostle Paul urged us to “pray without ceasing.”

In every moment, even subconsciously, we are to pray.

But Jesus warned against praying like the hypocrites, who love to pray in public just to show off. He isn’t saying we can’t pray in public places like church. Rather, He’s speaking to our motives.

Our prayers should be directed to God, not aimed at getting noticed by others. Pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

3. Jesus said, “When you fast…do not appear to men to be fasting.”

Fasting is another essential spiritual exercise for Christians.

Christian fasting differs from intermittent fasting, which is widely advertised today, and has been a long-practiced discipline. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and forty nights, as have many of God’s servants.

But fasting isn’t for putting on a show!

Don’t frown or broadcast your fasting to others. Keep it to yourself, and fast in secret, to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

These are three secrets Jesus asked Christian to keep, and you can read about it in Matthew 6.