Monday Morning Blast — September 29, 2014
Do you ever believe that your private “sins” will stay private? If so, you are being deceived by the enemy. Preachers, teachers, politicians, celebrities, pro-athletes…no one is immune. By now most everyone has heard the saga of professional football player Ray Rice. I am certain Ray thought he and his wife to be were alone in that elevator when he violently struck her, but cameras told the world. South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford’s adulterous sin was discovered in a similar fashion and it ended life as he new it. Scripture is clear: “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Why are hidden sins sometimes undetected for so long? Jim Denison of the Denison Forum comments, “Satan allows us to climb the ladder of success while continuing in private sins so that when we inevitably fall, our failure will be even more public and dishonoring to the cause of Christ.”. I agree. Satan loves nothing more than to discredit the reputation of God and one of His children.
How do we avoid the deception of secret sin? Three things to consider:
1. Know that God knows. The Lord once asked the prophet Ezekiel, “Have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark?” They claimed that “the Lord does not see us,” but they were wrong (Ezekiel 8:12). David was right in (Psalm 69:5) “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you”.
2. Know that the devil plans to use your sins against you and your Lord. “Satan” means “accuser” (Revelation 12:10).
3. Ask God to reveal private sin to you before it becomes public. INTENTIONALLY take the time for a regular spiritual inventory.
If we would be culture changing Christians, we must be so Godly that God can use us and the culture cannot condemn us. The ultimate answer is to stay so close to Jesus that His character and strength becomes ours (Psalm 89:15-16).
I love what Oswald Chambers said, “True surrender is being so close to Jesus that nothing ever appeals to you that did not appeal to Him.” So the question is…are you surrendered to Him today?
