Virtue-signaling

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Virtue-signaling is a newly coined phrase, referring to our efforts to show others how virtuous we are. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were notorious for virtue-signaling: “They do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.”

Virtue-signaling comes across as artifice and dissimulation, with undertones of self-righteousness. "Humblebrag," another neologism, aptly describes the effort. It reeks of self because it is the result of self-effort. 

Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  Put another way, “Let God work in you so others will see that you are the product of his genius." 

And how do you do that? Through prayer. We must ask God every day to make us the person he wants us to be and give Him the time and the space to do it. It will take awhile, but it's worth the wait (Psalm 27:14).

David