Doesn't it sometimes just seem impossible NOT to feel like a hypocrite?

It's so easy to fall into doing the right things but for the wrong reasons.

But Jesus has strong words to say against those who do "spiritual" things like giving, praying, and fasting just for show.

Join us as we dive into what Jesus says about living authentically as His followers...

Because the reality is, we don't need to be recognized by people for the things we do in this life.

After all, the rewards our Heavenly Father gives are of infinitely more value than any recognition the world could ever offer!

In this episode, you'll discover...

· How dangerous it really is to practice righteousness just to be seen by others

· What it looks like to have a relationship with God that goes DEEP... not just surface-level

· How to guard your heart against hypocrisy with practical everyday steps

Scripture passages and verses referenced:

· Matthew 6:1-18

· John 1:3-4

· Psalm 51:10-12

About Know God Deeply:

This podcast is produced by Precept. Precept exists to help people know God deeply and live differently through knowing God's Word. With Bible studies on every book of the Bible, Precept guides you to discover truth in Scripture for yourself, but not by yourself.

Resources mentioned:

· I Am Study

Don't forget to:

· Subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes

· Rate and review to help others discover the podcast

· Share this with someone who needs encouragement

· Read the episode transcript.

Ready to go beyond the podcast?

· Join a Precept Bible study group near you or online.

· Shop the Precept Bible Studies collection.

· Download a free 7-day study to get a taste of Inductive Bible study.

Never miss an episode.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

How can we POSSIBLY live up to Jesus' expectations?

After all, as He preached to the people He said to cut off your hand if it causes you to sin.

He also said if you just lust after someone, you're an adulterer at heart.

He even said to be "perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

So is the Christian life just a hopeless cycle of striving after an impossible standard... and failing?

In today's episode, we continue to unpack Jesus' shocking words to the crowds in the Sermon on the Mount.

And we see that Jesus isn't looking for His followers to just check all the boxes and follow the letter of the law...

He's looking to transform your heart.

In this episode, you'll discover...

· Why Jesus used the shocking imagery of cutting off your hand and tearing out your eye!

· Why it's so vital to go beyond just fixing external behaviors and get to the heart

· What Jesus means when He says to be "perfect"

Scripture passages and verses referenced:

· Matthew 5:17-48

· Romans 10:4

About Know God Deeply:

This podcast is produced by Precept. Precept exists to help people know God deeply and live differently through knowing God's Word. With Bible studies on every book of the Bible, Precept guides you to discover truth in Scripture for yourself, but not by yourself.

Resources mentioned:

· I Am Study: https://shop.precept.org/collections/precept-bible-studies/products/i-am-the-identity-of-jesus

Take the next step in going deeper with God through His Word...

· Join a Precept Bible Study group near you or online: https://www.precept.org/group/find/

· Shop Precept's Bible study products: https://shop.precept.org/

· Download a free 7-day study to get a taste of inductive Bible study: https://www.precept.org/free-study-resources/how-to-pray-like-jesus/

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts on social media:

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Download Transcript Here

Jesus sat down on a mountainside, His disciples gathered close, and He began what we know as the Sermon on the Mount.

He did not open with rules. He opened with blessings.

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. One after another, Jesus described the kind of people who belong to the Kingdom of God, and it looked nothing like the world's picture of a good life.

Then He said something just as surprising: you are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. The people shaped by these blessings are not meant to blend in. Their good works are meant to shine before others so that their Father in heaven is glorified.

This season on the Know God Deeply Podcast, we are reading through the Sermon on the Mount together, from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 to the wise builder in Matthew 7. Across six episodes, we slow down and observe the text for ourselves, listening for what Jesus reveals about life in His Kingdom and the kind of followers He calls us to be.

Episode 1 opens in Matthew 5:1-16. Grab your Bible and discover what it means to be blessed, and to live as salt and light.

Don't forget to:

• Subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes
• Rate & review to help others discover the podcast
• Share this with someone who needs encouragement

Read the episode transcript.

• Join a Precept Bible study group near you or online.
• Shop the Precept Bible Studies collection.
• Download a free 7-day study to get a taste of inductive Bible study.

Available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.