Do you have something to hide?

This week's passage comes from a message Jesus gives to his disciples. As Christians, we are the modern-day disciples of Christ, so these words are meant specifically for us as well.

Read this passage carefully. What is Jesus saying to you?

quote:

Luke 12:1-3 (NIV)
Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying:

"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."

Spend a few moments with God thinking about these words. How do you feel about all your words and actions being proclaimed from the roofs? Are there things in your life that you wouldn't want to be made known?

If you find yourself feeling convicted about sins in your past, realize that you can be forgiven for those sins! Ask God for that forgiveness. On the other hand, if you find yourself feeling convincted about current sins in your life, spend some time talking to God about that. What does God want you to do? Are you willing to do it?

The passage speaks to me about the importance of personal integrity and truthfulness. Truth somehow always comes out in the end and hidden things become transparent.

There certainly are things about me that I would prefer to keep private and concealed, but I know that nothing is hidden from God.

I know that there are things from my past that I would not like others to know about. But I also know that these things have been forgiven by the grace of God. The thing I must try to do now is not to do things that I would want others to know about, and especially things I would not like God to know about (which is impossible anyway).
Ingrid

I think, as Aaron mentioned, it's about truthfulness. It's hard to be honest all the time, especially when people ask you direct questions (something I find at work), but I always try to be as honest as possible, including if I've made a mistake. Something I find useful when tempted to gossip is to think 'Would I say this to the person's face', and if not, don't say it.

That doesn't stop us thinking bad things about people though, and if those thoughts are all made known, then most people would be ashamed as we're probably ALL guilty of it. I guess it's the verse about the words of our mouths AND the mediation of our hearts being pure. It's inner and outer truthfulness and integrity.

How do you feel about all your words and actions being proclaimed from the roofs? Are there things in your life that you wouldn't want to be made known?
There are some things I'm sure I would not want to be made known. I like everyone else who is honest has said or done things that I would not want to have others know. Like others have said, I know that God knows all, but I sure don't want other people to know all the things I've said, thought or done.