Secrets and Lies Kill

Acts 6:8 (NIV) Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Opposition arose... 

A good person does wonderful things for all the right reasons, but the evil in the world will do everything possible to discredit the upright. Too often wicked behavior appears to prevail.  These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. (Acts 6:9b-10)

Try as they might, evil men dared not challenge the words of Stephen with their own arguments. Truth cannot be tainted; it would take a evil to cast doubt or aspersions on Stephen's work. Imagine the extensive damage done with one little lie. Add to this a deceitful heart which is seeking to get its own way, and good people will suffer.  Lies have been known to topple thriving careers, destroy marriages and families and cripple finances.

Secrets are told in the shadows.  We cup our hand over our mouths and bend in to taunt into the waiting ear.  Even the word, whisper, sounds like a hiss, the sound Satan makes when he speaks. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."  Acts 6:11 

Secrets can be dangerous weapons if whispered into an ear with the admonition to not tell anyone else. Satan smiles every time we enjoy the repeating of a story shared in this way. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr was a victim of lies, and eventually lost his life because of them. They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. (Acts 6:13)  

Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:8-15

I've Got a Secret...

Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

If any of you are old enough to remember the black and white television program call, "I've Got a Secret," travel with me a moment into yesteryear. Three guests enter stage left.  A quick scan of the panelists reveals they are wearing blindfolds.  The guests then each make a statement, the same statement, and the panel must determine which one is telling the truth; which one is revealing their 'secret'.

The panel of celebrities begins to question the secret holders, but only receive yes or no responses. It was interesting and fun.  The blindfolds kept the identity of the contestants hidden because the panel could recognize them if they were famous or infamous. Their secret was safe.

How do you feel about secrets?  We all have them, some little and some much too big to keep without affecting us, without make us sick. Do you draw comfort from the fact that God knows all secrets? Does that make you feel secure or afraid?

In recovery programs we are taught we are as sick as our biggest secret.  We are encouraged to find someone to talk with, to reveal our faults to and come clean and to step out of denial. Coming clean with our dirty little secrets will go a long way to healing our hearts.

It is good to remember that nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight, there is nothing we can admit or confess that He didn't already know...and He loved us anyway.  If there is shame in our life, it is of Satan not God.  The Holy Spirit will convict us to come clean, to give an account of our actions, but never will He cast shame.

Isn't it time to come out from behind those masks and reveal who we are?  Isn't it time to be real, not only with others, but especially with ourselves?  After all, God knows -- what else matters?

Hebrews 4:1-13

Psalm 139:7-12

When I first entered a 12-step program, one of the things I heard said during a newcomer's meeting was, "You are as sick as your biggest secret."  Those words had an impact on me, as I had lots of secrets I had been carrying around since childhood.  Some things I even kept from myself, by staying in denial, never admitting that my life wasn't perfect.

The verses from Psalm 139 were very powerful to me.  Read them and apply them to where you are right now and see if you too aren't spiritually impacted.

Where can I go from your Spirit? 

   Where can I flee from your presence? 

 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

   if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

 even there your hand will guide me, 

   your right hand will hold me fast. 

 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me 

   and the light become night around me,” 

 even the darkness will not be dark to you; 

   the night will shine like the day, 

   for darkness is as light to you.

These words, as poetic as they are, have a wonderful and deep meaning.  For me it means no more secrets.  God knows it all and loves me anyway.  What does it mean to you?  Won't you share?

You are invited to email your comments here.
Read the entire Psalm 139 at Biblegateway.

God's Secret Wisdom - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

"No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." (1 Corinthians 2:7)  

The words, "God's secret wisdom" struck me.  There are times when I feel like everything God has planned for me is a secret and He is not letting me in on any of it.

Just when I think I have it figured out, a big question mark appears and my future is once again a secret from me.  I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know what my ultimate future is.  I understand there may be secrets surrounding the next days or weeks or years - but I am confident in my salvation.  

And oh, what comfort there is in the verse:

“However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I am Christian and the Holy Spirit gives me wisdom when I ask for it.  This wisdom reveals the secret that I will be with Jesus.  It is only a secret from anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit to direct and guide them.  But they too can uncover this secret by getting to know Jesus.

 Read the text at Biblegateway here.

Go Ahead, Spill The Beans Genesis 45:1-15

I can’t keep a secret. If I have a hidden morsel of knowledge, I can’t keep it too myself. Don’t tell me about a surprise party, because I will blow it. I may not come right out and spill the beans, but my face will give it away or subtle hints will eek out uncontrollable.

Back in the times of Abraham we talked about foreshadowing. We learned how God foreshadowed his son’s death when He saved Isaac from sacrifice. It seems God doesn’t like to keep secrets either. Just open the pages of scripture and all the secrets are made known.

Today we see another hint into God’s provision for us. Joseph, finally revealing himself to his brothers, says, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you… But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

Did you see it? Just like God sent Joseph ahead to save his family and all of Israel, He also sent Christ ahead to save all of humanity “by a great deliverance”. The death of a sinless Christ is our great deliverance! Spend some time today thanking God for this deliverance, and praying about who you can let in on the secret. God does not want this kept silent. Go ahead, spill the beans.

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway Genesis 45:1-15