A while back, poll conducted by one media firm on internet pornography, 33% of active ministers admitted having visited porn sites. Over half of those ministers said that they had visited those sites more than once. A total of 18 percent of clergy said they visit sexually explicit Web sites between a couple of times a month and more than once a week. This poll includes many liberal and ‘mainstream’ ministers, but it would be very naive to think that porn was not a problem for some bible-believing ministers. The illustration is with porn but, what much we battle with, you can mention the endless list.
Scripture tells us “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). No sin—not even a whispered curse or a fleeting evil thought—is hidden from the view of God. In fact, if we realized that God himself is the only audience for such secret sins, we might be less inclined to write them off so lightly.
The Bible declares that God will one day judge the secrets of every heart (Romans 2:16). He “will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Not only that, secret sins will not remain secret. “The Lord [will] bring to light the things hidden in the darkness” (1 Corinthians 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.
Christ teaches us to view our own secret sins with the same moral revulsion we feel for wanton acts of public sin. Yes, it might be an addiction already, not east to break away from, but do remember that nothing is impossible with God. The battle is for the Lord.
Christian friend, do not continue to hide your sin. Don’t harbor that sin, buried deep in the tent floor of your heart. It will affect your family, your home, your spiritual inheritance, and your purpose in life. There is no sin worthy of separating us from our Father.
It might not be easy for you to confess your secret sins to everyone, “For it is none of their business.” Do business with God then. Repent and let God restore you to fellowship.
Those who hide their sin and continue to delight in it will one day lose all the benefits gained by that sin. “Be not deceived. God is not mocked; Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
By Samuel B, An Evangelist and Former Youth Pastor.
