Virtue Signaling vs. Pursuing Virtue - How Can You Tell?

[Bootstrap]

This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.

Sometimes people talk about “virtue signaling” to dismiss someone else’s actions as shallow or performative. But sometimes people really are trying to pursue what’s good—or trying to grow in that direction, however imperfectly. And sometimes we’re doing both at once.

How do we tell the difference?

The Sermon on the Mount seems to take this tension seriously. Jesus says:

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. (Matt 6:1)

But he also says:

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

So which is it? When is sharing or acting publicly a way of glorifying God—and when is it just about glorifying ourselves?

Sometimes I wonder about my own motives. Am I doing something because it’s right, or because I want to be seen doing what’s right? And is it wrong to care what others see at all?

I’d love to hear how others think about this:

• Are there signs you’ve noticed that help you tell when someone (including yourself) is truly pursuing virtue—or just signaling it?
• Have you ever caught yourself trying to look good instead of be good?
• What helps you stay grounded in the pursuit of virtue, rather than the appearance of it?
• Are there other parts of Scripture that speak to this tension?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

[Ken]

According to Jesus, the big difference is whether you make a show of it or not.

From Matthew 6:

1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

As for Matthew 5:16? I think that is more about not hiding your faith as opposed to seeking earthy rewards for your displays of righteousness. The question is, who are you doing it for?

[Praxis+Theodicy]

If we pursue righteousness out of obedient faithfulness, our righteousness will probably end up being seen by others. Not individual acts, but large-scale: many righteous acts over time, and in large groups (think churches, not individual Christians). An individual Christian is not a "city on a hill". A city on a hill is a community that builds up itself and blesses the world around it.

Maybe those two conflicting passages would be easier to understand if there were more distinguishing pronouns in English for various forms of plurality. In the beatitudes, Jesus is saying "Ya'll (or "you'se" as I've heard some Mennonites say) are a city on a hill". In chapter 6, he's saying "You be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others, to be seen by them."

[danfreed]

Thanks, Boots!

I am just seeing this thread, and find it very challenging and inspirational.


I’d love to hear how others think about this:
Are there signs you’ve noticed that help you tell when someone (including yourself) is truly pursuing virtue—or just signaling it?
Here are some good signs from James 1:9:
1. Listening more - and with full attention
2. Speaking less - and with grace
3. When facing a pressure-filled situation - to exercise self-control (slow to lose temper), especially in the tone, volume and choice of words

James 1:19 "Let every man be quick to listen but slow to use his tongue, and slow to lose his temper. For man's temper is never the means of achieving God's true goodness."


Have you ever caught yourself trying to look good instead of be good?
so many times! - but there is forgiveness in Jesus, and change is possible because of Him


What helps you stay grounded in the pursuit of virtue, rather than the appearance of it?
1. Prayer 2. Thinking about Jesus 3. Thinking about others


Are there other parts of Scripture that speak to this tension?
Probably ... Colossians 3:12-17 comes to mind - especially verse 14 and 17

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.



Final thought...
These changes in motive and action are only possible because of Jesus and what He did on the Cross (giving His life for us), and by the resulting transformation by the Holy Spirit inside those of us who believe on Him.

Thanks for the questions, Boots. You helped me today. God bless you as you continue to serve the Lord Jesus with thankfulness.