Perverting the Good

When Good Things Become About Us
Matthew 6:1–18

Genesis tells us that before the fall, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed. God had made something good. Yet throughout Scripture and human history, we see people take good gifts and twist them toward selfish and harmful ends.

We still do that today. Sex, meant to be a gift, is often exploited and distorted. One web traffic estimate counted 3.65 billion visits to a single pornography site in August 2026. That number gives us a glimpse of how thoroughly a good gift can be pulled away from God’s purposes.

But Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6 reaches into places we might consider unquestionably spiritual. Prayer can become a performance. Generosity can become a way to get our name on a plaque. Fasting can become a way to make people admire our discipline.

We can turn good things into selfish things.

What do we do? We begin by honestly examining our hearts before God. As I said a few weeks ago, some of us check our outfit three times before church and check our heart zero times!

Why am I doing this? Whose glory am I seeking? Would I continue if no one noticed?

When we become more focused on building our kingdom than his, we are in danger of perverting what is good. But Jesus’ warning is an invitation to turn back. We can confess our mixed motives, receive his mercy, and give, pray, and serve for the glory of the Father who sees us.

What good thing in your life needs to become about God again?