7/25/15: Dirty Little Secrets
It never ceases to amaze me to see how public figures think they can hide their dirty little secrets. Politicians cheat on their wives and think no one will find out. Financiers swindle investors and figure they’ll never get caught. High-profile lawyers conceal evidence to get their guilty clients released and feel their cleaver courtroom antics instead of the truth will sway the judge and jury in their favor. Actors and musicians act out in public thinking they can do what they want because of their celebrity. Sooner or later, they all find themselves behind a microphone on the news, as the scandal headline in the papers, and as the butt of jokes on late night talk shows. Their families are torn apart, their fortunes suffer, and their character is forever tarnished.
This type of thing existed in Bible days too. Just when the remnant was rejoicing over safely having delivered all the treasures to the temple they were rebuilding, the word of a dirty little secret came to Ezra. “After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, ‘The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices… And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.’” Ezra 9:1-2 (NIV). Ezra was doubly hurt to discover even the leaders’ involvement and knew God’s blessings would not continue unless they cleaned up their act.
Public figures, church leaders, or regular folks like us are all subject to universal truths that have been set in place by God. What’s done in the darkness will be brought to the light and what goes around, comes around. Especially in our lives as believers, we cannot expect to enjoy the abundant life God offers if we insist upon living shabby, slipshod lives of questionable character. Even the little things matter. Read some of God’s wisdom on the subject:
¨ Dan 2:22 He reveals deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.
¨ Jer 23:24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
¨ Luke 12:2-3 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
¨ Heb 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
¨ Num 32:23b …be sure your sin will find you out.
(All previous verses from NKJ)
I think it would be a good idea to get rid of your dirty little secrets, don’t you? Confessing them before God means turning from participation in them. Do whatever you have to do to fix what you’ve messed up. Start today.
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