What is virtue signaling?

Response

Virtue signaling is a relatively recent term (early 2000s) that can be defined as expressing a “moral” opinion on a subject to appear as a “good person” to a specific group of individuals. For instance, criticizing a style of clothing as improper or immodest to seem virtuous to a religious community is an example of virtue signaling. Alternatively, virtue signaling may involve sharing a charitable donation receipt on social media to portray oneself as a generous individual. Politicians also engage in virtue signaling to garner support.

The issue of individuals publicly showcasing their virtue dates back centuries, and Jesus addressed this behavior in Matthew 6:1–4, long before it was termed as such. Jesus mentions hypocrites who enjoy giving alms in front of others (verse 2). The advice given in verse 3 is to keep your charitable deeds private, without your left hand knowing what your right hand is doing. In essence, charitable actions should be kept confidential. Virtue signaling is discouraged for followers of Christ. While it is acceptable if others witness your acts of charity, the intention should never be to seek recognition. God looks at the heart, not outward appearances “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”, (1 Samuel 16:7). As one commentator notes, “The secrecy of our charity is a strong indication of its sincerity” William Burkitt, Commentary on the New Testament, entry for Matthew 6:1.

The Bible does not condone virtue signaling. Instead, we are instructed to strive to be “quiet” “and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, asWe are instructed in (1 Thessalonians 4:11) to “do good to all people” and to be especially kind to those who are part of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). The emphasis is on performing good deeds rather than talking about them. Proverbs 27:2 advises us to let others praise us instead of boasting about ourselves.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus encourages us to let our light shine through our good deeds so that others may glorify our Father in heaven. This is not a call to engage in virtue signaling or seeking attention for our actions. Similarly, in (1 Peter 1:15), we are reminded to be holy in all aspects of our lives, reflecting God’s glory rather than our own.

Our human nature often leads us to engage in virtue signaling, seeking approval and recognition from others. However, our focus should be on faithfulness to God rather than seeking worldly praise. As stated in (Proverbs 20:6, KJV), it is rare to find someone who is truly faithful rather than self-promoting.

Our message should not be about our own goodness but about Christ’s goodness.(see 1 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; 1 Peter 3:18). Paul states in Galatians 6:14, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” When compelled to enumerate his credentials according to the flesh, Paul prefaced his remarks with these words: “In this self-confident boasting I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool” «That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. », (2 Corinthians 11:17). Virtue signaling is vainglorious, and it is foolish.

John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets «For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. », (Luke 7:28), had an opportunity to signal his virtues when approached by the priests and Levites in John 1:19–21. When John was asked, “Who are you?” and “What do you say about yourself?” he could have eloquently spoken about his morals, pointed to the great works he was doing, or in some other way signaled his virtue. Instead, John said, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord’” (verse 23). He then directed people away from himself and toward Jesus Christ, “the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (verse 27). May we learn the same humility.