Our Hidden Sins

Confessing our sins is a key aspect of our spiritual journey. However, there are times when certain sins remain hidden in the depths of our subconscious. These hidden sins hinder our ability to fully experience the freedom found in Christ Jesus. They act as barriers to our spiritual growth and can even lead us to doubt everything we encounter in our lives. The consequences of these hidden sins can be far-reaching, affecting not only our trust in others but also our ability to trust ourselves. Although these sins may not be active on the surface, they silently thrive within our hearts. Thankfully, through the guidance of the Word of God and our innate reactions to the sinful actions of others, we can begin to identify these hidden sins within ourselves. By acknowledging and addressing these struggles, we can embark on a path towards healing and spiritual renewal.

Nothing Is Hidden Forever

One must be cognizant of the veracity that despite certain transgressions being concealed within us unbeknownst to us, they cannot indefinitely remain clandestine. Furthermore, every single one of these misdeeds eludes no scrutiny from our Father God, who shall ultimately unveil each concealed secret.

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. – Luke 8:17 (NIV)

In the case of Peter, there existed a doubt regarding the sacrificial death of Jesus, which caused him to experience a fear of being implicated by the Roman government alongside Jesus. This doubt remained hidden within his subconscious, unbeknownst to him, and it was because of this disbelief that he declared his commitment to follow Jesus until death. Jesus, in His wisdom, brought to light Peter’s concealed sin by revealing the impending transgression he was about to commit. Jesus consistently warns us about our hidden sins, although we often fail to comprehend His message due to our inability to recognize and acknowledge these particular sins that lie dormant and concealed, even from our own perception and knowledge. Unfortunately, it is only when these sins come to fruition that we truly become aware of them. At that moment, the decision to turn back to God becomes a blessing.

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” – Matthew 26:33-34 (NIV)

Causes And The Outcome Of Hidden Sin

Our inclination towards committing sins is the primary reason for the presence of hidden sins within us. When we develop an affection for sin, it takes root in our hearts. Conversely, if we detest sin, there will be none concealed within us. The key to cultivating this aversion to sin lies in our love for God. Sadly, even when we recognize a sin, we sometimes hold onto it in our hearts not to intentionally commit it, but rather as a reminder of the consequences associated with it. In an attempt to conceal our own sins, we divert our attention towards others, labelling them as sinners. Eventually, we begin to question the integrity of our Heavenly Father and surrender ourselves to sin.

Hidden sin hinders our ability to experience the fullness of joy in our salvation. It erodes our confidence and instils doubt in our hearts. It casts shadows of suspicion over the actions of our loved ones. Concealing sin prevents us from embracing the truth revealed in God’s Word, often causing pain when confronted with it. It isolates us from social interaction, leaving us in a state of solitude. Thus, even a hidden sin, though not yet acted upon, can inflict great harm upon ourselves and those around us.

Jesus Exposes The Sin Of Accusers

Jesus, the embodiment of love and forgiveness, extends His grace to sinners, cleansing them from their sins without exposing their transgressions to others. However, there are instances when a sinner, instead of acknowledging their own wrongdoing, shifts blame onto someone else. In these cases, Jesus does reveal their sin, while still granting forgiveness to the person exposed.

One such event occurred when a group of individuals, considering themselves righteous, brought a woman before Jesus. They claimed to have caught her engaged in adultery and sought to invoke the strict punishment prescribed by the law of Moses. Their intention was to test Jesus, urging Him to prioritise the law over His own teachings.

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7 (NIV)

The verdict rendered by Jesus revealed the concealed sins of the accusers. It made evident that if they were truly righteous, they would not have recognized the accused woman as adulterous. Moreover, by blaming her for the sin, they unknowingly exposed their own transgressions committed against her, whether they were physical or virtual in nature. This serves as a reminder that when we cast blame onto others, we often reveal the magnitude of our own sinful actions.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. – Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV)

Our Sins Prevent Others from Coming To Jesus

Jesus recounted a parable to illustrate the potential harm that a child of God could cause to a fellow believer. The story revolves around a farm owner and his two sons. The younger son approached his father and requested his share of the inheritance in the form of money. After receiving his portion, the younger son departed from the household, seeking to live his life as he saw fit. Unfortunately, he squandered away all his money on vices and found himself destitute. Hunger-stricken and desperate, he recollected the employees working on his father’s farm, who were abundantly fed by him. Consequently, the younger son decided to return to his father and humbly ask him for a position as a servant, rather than as his beloved offspring.

The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ – Luke 15:21 (NIV)

The father, who had patiently awaited his return, accepted him back as his son and celebrated the occasion. Unaware of the situation, the elder son returned from the field to the sound of songs and dance. Intrigued, he inquired about the festivities from a sage. It was then that he learned of his younger brother’s return. However, this news proved to be upsetting for him, leading to his anger and refusal to enter the house. Despite the father’s pleas for him to come inside, the older brother responded defiantly.

But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ – Luke 15:29-30

The elder son struggled to come to terms with his father’s acceptance of his younger brother, who had squandered his inheritance on immoral living. To the elder son, the focus was not on his brother’s return, but on his past mistakes and sinful lifestyle. He longed to indulge in similar behaviour, but his loyalty to his father prevented him from acting upon his wicked desires. This internal conflict caused him to suppress his sinful inclinations, fearing his father’s disapproval. However, witnessing his father’s forgiveness and acceptance of his wayward brother aroused a deep sense of jealousy within the elder son. Unable to see past his own hidden sin, he condemned his younger brother as forever unworthy, instead of recognizing his sincere repentance.

Expose The Hidden Sin

It is not the sins of others, but our own hidden sins that have the power to destroy us. Even if we fail to uncover our hidden sins through the light of God’s word or the knowledge of the law, there is still an effective way to expose them. When we witness the sins of others, we are actually seeing a reflection of our own flaws. Instead of condemning them, we should focus on eliminating our own hidden sins in a more meaningful manner. As long as sin remains concealed within us, we will only see our fellow sinners. However, once our sins are gone, we will finally behold our Father God. As stated in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Therefore, let us rid our hearts of all immoral desires that lurk within, and fill that void with the living word of God. Once our hearts are purified, we will be able to truly see God, and His glorious light will illuminate our path.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” – Ephesians 5:11-14 (NIV)