“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Sam. 16:7 NIV
Jesus’ explanation of the law is a devastating blow against the lie that image is everything.
Jesus taught repeatedly that hidden sins carries the very same guilt as one that manifests itself in the worst form of ungodly behavior.
Those who hate others are as guilty as those who act out their hatred; and those who indulge in private lusts are as guilty as wanton adulterers. (Matt. 5:21-30)
Christians are not to think of hidden sins as somehow less serious and more respectable than the sins everyone sees.
The Bible tells us “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7)
No sin……not even a whispered curse word or a fleeting evil thought is hidden from God. We need to realize and understand that God Himself is the only audience for hidden sins. If we really believed God does see and hear everything we do, we might be less inclined to blow off our sins so easily.
The Bible also declares that God will one day judge the secrets of every heart. (Rom. 2:16) He “will bring every act to judgment, everything that is hidden whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:14)
Hidden sins will not remain a secret. “The Lord (will) bring to light the things hidden in the darkness.” (I Cor. 4:5) Jesus said, “There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” (Luke 12:2-3)
Those who think they can evade shame by sinning in secret will discover one day that open disclosure of their secrets before the very throne of God is the worst shame of all.
It is silly to think we can mitigate our sin by keeping it hidden. It is a folly to tell ourselves that we are better than others because we sin in private. It is the very extent of folly to convince ourselves that we can get away with sin by covering it up.
“But each of you
had better tremble
and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart
as you lie in bed”. Ps 4:4 CEV
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