Question:  After seeing so many others get caught,  why does it seem high-profile Christians still think their sins will stay secret?

Answer:  Most likely,  if they’ve been getting away with hiding their sin, they don’t think they will be found out or they’re willing to risk getting caught.  Many people are not even that surprised anymore to hear about some famous “family values” politician or Christian leader being exposed, for example, for committing sexual sin or financial corruption.  These people were living a lie.  And, while it’s easy to point fingers at the famous who have fallen from grace, it’s harder sometimes to admit our own secret sins.  But the Bible says in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

By thinking we are sinning in secret, we may feel somewhat safe.  For a while, we may be able to hide our sins from people.  What we need to know is that we can never hide our sins from God.  God’s Word tells us in Numbers 32:23,  “…take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”  (NKJV)  In Ecclesiastes 12:14, the Word says, “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.”

Unfortunately, many people — even professed Christians — are living their lives trying to hide some of the sinful things they are doing.  Each additional day that goes by with this secrecy  is leading them  into the tighter grip of  Satan’s destruction.  Not only are they hurting themselves, they are hurting those around  them.  For example, the cheating husband is bringing  heartbreak and shame to his wife and children.  Or, take the woman who is embezzling money from the charity she works for.  Not only is she risking getting a prison sentence for herself, but she is taking away from the services for those in need who were counting on that money.

The truth is, there really are no “secret sins.”  While you may be able to hide what you are doing from man, you can never hide from God!  God knows everything that we do.  He knows everything we even think about doing!  Jesus said, “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.”  (Luke 12:2-3)  Renowned pastor, teacher, and author John MacArthur explains more about this truth in his Grace to You website post, “Nothing Safe About Secret Sin.”   Check it out here: http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/a214/nothing-safe-about-secret-sin.

As Believers, we know that God’s Word says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)  We are Believers by accepting Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord and Savior.  God gave us Jesus who died on the Cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sin.  God also gives us His Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen, and guide us.  Through repentance, prayer and living by God’s Word, we can turn away from our sins — even those we think we are doing in secret.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family  www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries  www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine    www.worldmag.com