(Photo via Google Images)

My heart is very grieved from the information coming out regarding Josh Duggar’s involvement with a website that helps people have affairs, and also the thousands of others exposed from the recent website’s hack. It seems we constantly hear of scandal after scandal being exposed one right after another from politician to movie star to evangelist. The devastation for those involved and their families is heartbreaking.

This may seem like a Hollywood syndrome, but I believe this hits closer to home than we may realize. If we only knew what goes on behind closed doors, we’d be shocked.

BUT GOD KNOWS.

We cannot hide anything from God. He sees every sin done in the dark and He will bring it into the light.

The word of God says,

“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” –Matthew 10:26

And also,

“Be sure your sin will find you out.” –Numbers 32:23

This is true for every sin. You tell a lie, you will be found out. You commit adultery, you will be found out. You cheat the government out of paying taxes, you will be found out. You harbor anger and hatred, you will be found out.

The truth is we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) And if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

What if instead of hiding from our sin and hoping it will not be exposed, we bring it into the light ourselves?

WOW! That’s not a popular way of thinking!

Why? Because it’s human nature to hide. Sinners are lovers of darkness. What is the first thing Adam and Eve did when they committed the very first sin? THEY HID.

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’

And he said, ‘I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.'” –Genesis 3:8-10

Or maybe we LIE ABOUT OUR SIN like Cain did after he murdered his brother Abel.

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ And he said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?'” –Genesis 4:9

Or maybe we dig our hole deeper and COMMIT MORE SIN IN ORDER TO COVER UP THE FIRST sin like David did after he committed adultery with Bathsheba.

“Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.” –2 Samuel 12:9

When we hide, lie, and continue to sin we are living in darkness and, ultimately, are serving the father of lies. We shackle ourselves in chains and submit ourselves to the enemy. We deny God’s plan for our lives and live in bondage. Sentenced to death.

BUT THERE IS A WAY TO FREEDOM!

I love what Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 1:15, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” Keep in mind, Paul was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor against the kingdom of God. But praise God for His grace and mercy that when we repent and turn to God, our sins are wiped away and times of refreshing come from being in the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19) Not only did Paul receive forgiveness for his transgressions, but God used Paul mightily in building His early church!

So, overturn the plans of the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy you! Confess your sins to the Lord and get right with him today before it’s too late. Today is the day of salvation! Tomorrow is promised to no one! The truth will set you FREE!!!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” –1 John 1:9

“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” –Proverbs 28:13

The power of confession loosens the stronghold of sin over us. Confessing and repenting of our sins activates the blood of Jesus over us and separates us from our sin. We become a new creature and we are no longer identified by our sin!

No longer are we called an alcoholic, gambler, murderer, lier, adulterer, fornicator, hater, blasphemer. But we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ! We become a child of God the Father! Old things have passed away! All things become new and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

It’s also important to find a trustworthy friend, maybe your spouse or a pastor, and bring your confession to them as well. Confessing your sins to God brings salvation, but confessing your sins to a friend brings accountability. (Please note, this is crucial and unavoidable if your sin is against another person, such as breaking marital covenant. If this is the case, Christian counseling is vital not only for the healing of your marriage, but also the healing of your body.) There are many scriptures to support confessing your sins to another:

“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” –James 5:16

“Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices.” –Acts 19:18

“If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” –Matthew 5:24

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” –Hebrews 12:1

So, in summary,

• Expose all lies and every deed done in the dark.
• Walk in the light as He is in the light.
• And surround yourselves with a great cloud of witnesses who will lift you up in times of need and keep you accountable in times of temptation.

I’ll leave you with a little song God gave me. May this become your prayer…

Expose, light up the darkness
Expose, light up the darkness
Expose light up the darkness.
Reveal! Heal!
Heal! Reveal!
EXPOSE!!!

If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. —
1 John 1:7