The Viking Principle

"You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 HCSB

Humility is a good thing. We should take care to not practice our righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. If we do, we will have no reward from our Father in heaven. We should not have trumpets blast every time we do some good deed so that all will turn and look at us. Who cares whether others witness our prayers or not? Are we praying to God or men? When we inform others when or how much we fast, we may be revealing our true intent. It is not to humble ourselves before God but to elevate ourselves before men.[1]

We should not go to the other extreme either. There is a place for public charity. There is value in conspicuous righteousness.

Our Master’s good works were publicly known. They were so famous that they were the matter of discussion from King Herod’s throne[2] all the way to the dungeon.[3] He let His works do much of the preaching,[4] and upbraided cities that did not respond properly with repentance and faith when they witnessed miracles.[5] His good works caused others to question, “Where did He get such wisdom and powerful works?”[6] In fact, He not only allowed others to witness His works, but boasted that they would see far greater in the future![7]

So it is not that we should do all good deeds in secret. It is that we should carefully examine our motives. Are we magnifying and enlarging our religiosity so that others will think better of us?[8] Or, are we allowing God to demonstrate His power in our weakness?

The Viking Beserkers used to sit around the fire the night before they went into battle and boast of the heroic deeds that they would do the following day. Then when the battle lines were drawn, those boasts were ringing in their ears as their hearts pounded in their throats in fear. Their boasts drove them to fight ferociously. They would chant and scream, developing a war frenzy, a warrior’s rage that they would suddenly unleash on their enemies. It is said that they would often leap into battle without armor, wielding only their battle axes.

Let others know you want to become a tzaddik, a righteous, holy person. Then try to live up to that reputation. Your public acknowledgment serves as a confession of loyalty to the Master – not a vain boast. And maybe – just maybe – it will help you stand for what’s right.

Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.[9]

[1] Matthew 6:1-6
[2] Mark 6:14
[3] Matthew 11:2
[4] John 5:36
[5] Matthew 11:20
[6] Matthew 13:54
[7] John 5:20
[8] Matthew 23:5
[9] Philippians 4:7