Jesus delivered this message near the beginning of His ministry, and it is the longest of Jesus’ sermons recorded in the New Testament.

What are things we need to do in secret as per Jesus? Jesus taught 3 things to be secret, giving, prayer, and fasting, Jesus explained it by exposing the malpractice and pointing out how to do it.

Secret of Secret Giving:

Warning:

1. Do not make it a public show: Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Math 6:1
2. Do not give to impress others: “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Math 6:2

Principle of Giving:

1. Important to You, as it is what you really want to do: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing Math 6:3
2. Important to Father: so that your giving may be in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you. Math 6:4

The Secret of Secret Praying

Warning:

1. Display of outward spiritualism: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.Math 6:5
2. Misunderstanding to think we can change God’s mind: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Math 6:7

Principle of Praying:

1. Very Personal: But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Math 6:6
2. Confidence: Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Math 6:8

Secret of Secret Fasting

Warning:

1. Thinking it as a sacrifice: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites,
2. Holier than Others: for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Math 6:16

Principle of Fasting:

1. Be at your best:  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, Math 6:17
2. It is for Encounter with Father: that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your father who is in secret. And your father who sees in secret will reward you. Math 6:18