The Danger of Hidden Sin

Make Straight the Way of the Lord.

• You appear clean and worthy before everyone, but behind closed doors, your heart harbors dirt and sin.
• Outwardly, you do not steal, lie, cheat or kill.
• You seem righteous.
• Yet inwardly, you keep envy locked in your heart and indulge in secret sins, such as lust and self-gratification.

Do you think being good in public is enough?

Who among us would openly declare themselves to be wicked?

None of us.

But what you do outwardly holds little weight if your heart is defiled.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean" (Matthew 23:27).

Where have you been?

Are you striving so hard for public recognition while inwardly living like a dog, chained to sin?

Heaven and earth bear witness to your hidden transgressions.

Even if you are blind to them, God is not.

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

This is not a call to stop your actions by your own power, for you cannot.

If you could, your secrets would not still weigh on your heart.

Only God can cleanse you completely. Remember the words of John the Baptist:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight!’" (Matthew 3:3).

When the consequences of your sins manifest, people may praise your public works, unaware of the corruption beneath.

Some may even question God, blaming Him for your fall, though your service was tainted by hidden sins.

Do not be deceived:

"Do not be misled: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7).

The end will always reveal the truth.

Nothing is hidden forever.

"For everything that is hidden will be disclosed, and everything concealed will be brought to light" (Mark 4:22).

So I urge you once more, make straight the way of the Lord.

Surrender your heart to Him completely.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no, not just before men but before the cloud of witnesses who see all your deeds, both visible and hidden.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

Let the peace of God guide your steps into true righteousness and holiness.

Peace be unto you.