Secret

<<hidden, confidential>>

We can’t keep any secrets from God, He knows our innermost thoughts. There is nothing that won’t be revealed for everything is ‘naked and exposed’ before Him (Ps 90:8, 94:11; Mt 12:25;

We can’t hide anything from God – so don’t try

Heb 4:13). All we do will be brought into the open, with everyone’s work being made open and plain and even the motives of our hearts revealed (Mk 4:22; Lk 12:2,3;1 Cor 3:13, 4:5). The Lord declares, “Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” (Jer 23:24).

Normally we try to keep secret what we feel ashamed or guilty about, trying to hide the evidence from others, especially those who will hold us accountable. Jesus said, “People love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil” but if we admit our sins we can be cleansed and forgiven (Jn 3:19; 1 Jn 1:9). James urged his readers to confess their sins to one another and so be liberated from them (Jas 5:16). Close fellowship with God and other people suffers when issues are not dealt with but kept concealed (Ps 31:10, 32:3-5).

Jesus sometimes acted so He wouldn’t draw attention to Himself and jeopardise His ongoing ministry, urging those He had healed to keep quiet, just letting the facts speak for themselves (Mt 9:30; Mk 5:43; Jn 7:1-11). Nehemiah kept his plans for rebuilding the walls a secret until he had worked out a strategy. Then in a passionate statement he presented his plans to the people who readily accepted it and commenced the task (Neh 2:11-20). A trustworthy man keeps a secret (Prov 11:13). Can I keep in absolute confidence what has been confided with me?

In Jesus time there were many secret believers who, because of peer pressure or fear, did not openly acknowledge they were His followers (Jn 12:42,43, 19:38). However He said, if we confess Him before man, He will acknowledge us before God, while if we deny Him before man He will deny us before God (Mt 10:32,33). Today in countries where there is

Thank God you are not forced to be a secret believer

real persecution believers should be wise and sensitive to the Holy Spirit as to with whom and how they communicate their faith. We should pray for secret believers who do not have the mutual support gained from meeting with fellow Christians (Heb 10:25). Any contact they have must be done spasmodically and covertly so not to draw attention.

Our praying, giving, and fasting should not be publicised because this results in ‘our glory’ – receiving the reward here on earth rather than in heaven (Mt 6:1-6,16-18). However, we are to actively and openly declare the salvation of God, and do good works for “God’s glory” (Isa 61:1; Mt 5:16; Mk 16:15; Lk 4:43; Act 4:20). Thus, the testimony we share should exalt Jesus, not us.