What other scriptures warn about the dangers of secret sins? Ezekiel’s Snapshot of Hidden Idolatry “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they say, “The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.”’ ” (Ezekiel 8:12) Old Testament Echoes: The Inescapable Eyes of the Lord The prophets, poets, and sages keep sounding the same alarm—nothing stays hidden from God. • Psalm 90:8 – “You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.” • Psalm 19:12 – “Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” • Psalm 139:11-12 – “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me,’ … even the darkness is not dark to You.” • Proverbs 5:21-23 – “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD… his own iniquities ensnare him.” • Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the wicked and the good.” • Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing.” • Jeremiah 23:24 – “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him? … Do I not fill the heavens and earth?” • Daniel 2:22 – “He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” New Testament Echoes: Light Shining into Darkness Jesus and the apostles pick up the same theme and aim it straight at the heart. • Luke 8:17 – “There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known.” • Luke 12:2-3 – “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed… what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed.” • Romans 2:16 – “…on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ.” • 1 Corinthians 4:5 – “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.” • Ephesians 5:11-13 – “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them… everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” • Hebrews 4:13 – “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” • Revelation 2:23 – “All the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” Why Hidden Sin Is So Dangerous • It deceives the sinner—“The LORD does not see” (Ezekiel 8:12). • It hardens the heart over time (Proverbs 5:22-23). • It robs fellowship with God and others (Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:6). • It invites judgment that will eventually become public (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16). Living Transparently Before God • Confession keeps us in the light (1 John 1:7-9). • Accountability with trusted believers brings sins into the open (James 5:16). • Daily Scripture and prayer sensitize conscience, making it harder for darkness to settle in (Psalm 119:11). • Remember: what is exposed and surrendered can be forgiven and cleansed; what is hidden will ultimately be revealed. |
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