Secrets. Everybody has them. But, is that really okay? Are all secrets bad?
Recently, in one of our weekly staff meetings at New Song Church, I challenged our leadership team to beware of secrets. I talked about how secrets can be unhealthy for us, and can also lead to unhealthy relationships with others.
Think about it for a minute: go through the inventory of secrets that you’ve hidden in the annals of your heart and mind. Now, I’m not talking about what you’re getting someone for their birthday, or the intimate secrets that are shared between a husband and wife. I’m talking about those indiscretions from your past that you wish you could erase-those things that you hope and pray no one ever finds out about. Those things that you cover-up, at all costs, even when it means being dishonest.
Yeah, those things. We’ve all got them, and we all keep a tight lock on the closet door that contains all of the skeletons of our past, to ensure that no bones fall out unexpectedly. The truth is, most of us tremble at the thought of our deep, dark secrets being exposed. Our secrets can cause us to live in fear, which robs us of the ability to truly love and be loved.
Lately, I’ve been studying the book of Romans. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says about our secrets: “And this is the message I proclaim–that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Romans 2:16 NLT). Paul tells us that one day, God will judge everything that we have done in secret, or tried to keep secret. Thankfully, for the Believer, he will do this “through Christ Jesus”, whose grace cover’s all of our indiscretions, if we are faithful to confess them and repent. But still, one day we will all stand before a Holy God and give an account for all of our secrets. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get them out on earth first…just sayin’.
Quite often, our secrets keep us from connecting to God at a deeper level. God values authenticity because after all, he knows everything anyway. Being a follower of Jesus means being transparent with God and one another, which allows us to live an authentic life. In fact, for this very reason, one of our core values at New Song Church is the word REAL. We believe that in order to grow in our walk with God we must value authenticity in all of our relationships.
How are your relationships? Are they healthy and successful? Are they authentic? If you’re not sure, or you answer “No”, then maybe it’s time to take an inventory of all those nasty little secrets and begin the process of sorting through them to find out which ones need to be brought into the light. Now, I’m not suggesting that you start airing out everyone elses’s secrets-that’s gossip. I am suggesting, however, that maybe it’s time to get alone with God and ask, “Are my secrets keeping me from having healthy, successful, authentic relationships?” More than likely, they are.
Think About It.
-Danny
When God wants our us to own up to our secrets he has a way to force us to. One Sunday a few years ago, God told me I had a secret (sin) I had not owned up to. I was quite surprised as I thought I had systematically gone through them over the years and had addressed them. I started offering them up to him on a regular basis, after about six months, the conviction went away (that’s along time of rattling bones!). I have no clue what it was that I finally addressed, but I must have finally addressed the right issue, as God took the burden away!
Great words, Becky. Thanks for reading!
One of the most destructive lies about sin is that confession to others won’t bring healing. While God can certainly heal the heart Himself, I think He also uses the people around us to bring us comfort when we’re most vulnerable. In some way, rejecting confession we can reject the people He has placed in our lives to help us, and thus reject him. Thanks for posting!
Great words, Rachel. James 5:16 is soooo true:
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed…”
Thanks so much for reading!
-Danny
Hey Danny, this really cuts deep. I have to constantly remind myself that duplicity is not OK, in any form. I try to hate duplicity more than I like sin, but it is hard. I read Jesus’ prayer in John, and wonder if He is not asking God for us to be “one” as in, singular, without ulterior motives and without secrets.
Wishing you grace and strength,
Rob
Great words, Rob. It’s something we all must continually call out in our own lives.
Miss you guys. Give your family a hug for me.
Thanks for reading!
-Danny