hidden sin | Robert & Kay Camenisch

Jesus’ words are being confirmed today: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:2-3

There are times when things seem to stay concealed for a mighty long time. However, lately words and deeds that seemed to be hidden have been shouted from the housetops so loudly that it’s nauseating. Sexual advances that were covered over in Hollywood were no surprise, because of the immorality that is depicted in the entertainment produced there.

Those revelations and the reactions to them have given women courage to report similar activity in businesses and in the halls of government. The uncovering of such hidden activity has likely just begun. I pray that it leads to a change in moral standards and greater respect toward others.

Similarly, reports of unethical and criminal dealings of government officials are being made that indicate deeds were intentionally covered up so they would never be known. And yet, they have been exposed and will apparently be investigated—and declared from the housetops.

I could give names and list offenses, but those things are not in my sphere to do anything about. What the constant news of such has done is remind me of the verses that warn us that things we do in darkness will come to the light—and likely be exposed for all in our spheres to see.

It’s reminded me of the times I sneaked an extra cookie—and got caught red-handed. And of the extra pounds that shout from the housetop my lack of needed self-control. There’s more, but I’m not ready to reveal my whole list.

But, whether our hidden deeds involve little, one-time actions; habits that don’t glorify God; or if they are life-style choices that twist and deny God’s Word, we are fooling ourselves if we think nobody will ever know.

Even if our neighbor never finds out about our hidden sin, the Lord knows. He’s deeply grieved because those things block fellowship with Him. They cost us deeply every day by keeping us from experiencing the fullness of life we could have in Him.

With young children, the experts say discipline for wrong needs to be administered quickly so the child will see the connection between the crime and the punishment. If that is so, I’ve often thought why the Lord isn’t quicker to expose things in our lives—or to “spank” us. With quick consequences, we might be more reluctant to sin.

Why is God so patient with us when we need discipline?

Could it be that He wants us to obey and to please Him out of love for Him, not out of fear? If He were always quick to administer consequences, would we see Him as a loving and merciful God? Would we relate to Him out of love? Or fear?

Yes, there is reason for fear. Genuine fear, because the Lord is all-powerful and is a jealous God. But He’s also a God of love. We don’t have to fear the One who gave His Son to carry the punishment for our sins.

But, if we choose sin, and try to hide it, rather please Him, there is reason to fear. His light will shine into the darkness where we hid those things, and they will become known.

As they are revealed, He is glorified because His Word is fulfilled.

The revelations are disgusting, sickening. And yet, as light shines in the darkness, exposing sin, I pray that people who have become acclimated to darkness will have their eyes opened, will see their need, and will be drawn to the Light of the world.

I no longer read the daily reports of one more person who has lost His job because of recent revelations. I’ve seen enough.

But I do pray that the Lord will let His light shine and that it will turn hearts from sin and darkness and direct them to Him.

What are your prayers in response to the wickedness being brought to the light?

Our neighbors have a June apple tree in their back yard. They’re generous folks and allow us to take all the apples we want, and they’ve never complained about the occasional Image result for image of an apple tree apple pie that comes back their way.

The one disadvantage is that they aren’t serious about growing apples. To them it’s mostly an ornamental tree, so the tree isn’t sprayed regularly to rid it of apple loving worms and bugs. Consequently, preparation time takes a little longer because you have to discard bits of the apples.

It doesn’t matter to a pie or applesauce if the apple looks pretty or if pieces of apple are uniform and even, so I chose to first use the marred apples and save the pretty ones for snacks.

However, as I worked I needed a little more apple to fill up the pie, so I reached for an unspoiled apple. As I began to cut into it, I was thinking of the smell of a fresh-baked pie filling the kitchen when my husband came in.

The smile on my face faded quickly. The apple was rotten on the inside. It had just enough good apple on the outside for it to keep it’s shape. Its heart was brown and ugly. Several other apples had the same problem. Image result for image of a rotten apple

As I cut through those apples, I wondered if that’s how we look to the Lord. Are we marred with bug bites and bruises? Do we try to look shiny and nice, being careful to hide what’s within? Or, do we think we look shiny and nice, but God sees otherwise? Apples that haven’t been tended, taught me a lesson.

Some sins are visible to those around us, marring our desirable appearance and our witness. If we submit ourselves to the Lord’s discipline, those things can often be cut out just like the bad spots in the apple.

However, if we hold hidden sin and thus allow it to take residence in our hearts, like the worm or larva in the apple, the damage grows unnoticed, causing great destruction. As we try to hide it from others, the damage grows.

There is good news and bad news in this scenario. First, the bad.

Sometimes we aren’t aware that we have hidden sin. If, for instance, we lie or commit adultery, we may try to justify it, but our conscience knows otherwise. However, we may lean on someone emotionally or take special joy in their company and slide into committing adultery in our hearts long before taking physical steps in response to those emotions.

Likewise, we can unknowingly harbor pride, bitterness, greed, or other sinful attitudes that spoil our righteousness, peace, and joy, much less our relationships and testimony. Like the larva in the apple, if we hold sin, the fact that it is hidden does not mean it is not causing damage within.

The good news is that our God is a redeeming God. Unlike the apple that had to be thrown away because it was rotten, in Jesus Christ we can be made whole again. He will wash away the rottenness that blocks our relationship with Him (and others) and our usefulness in His kingdom.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).

They say an apple a day will keep the doctor away. I’m thinking that if I remember the lesson of the rotten apple, an apple a day might keep the devil away. Apples, whether perfect or not, could serve as a reminder to submit to God, asking Him to show me if I am harboring any unrighteousness.

Will you join me?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24).

Just an apple a day.

Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships

Let the Light Shine

An Apple a Day