By Joe Chesser
Since Cain killed Abel, people have been trying to hide their sins from God and those around them. That’s why Cain lured Abel to go out to the field with him (Gen. 4.6). No one would see what he was going to do. No one would know about it. Even when God asked Cain about his brother, he tried to deflect responsibility and truth by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4.9). God gave him a chance to admit his sin. He had urged him to do what is right and to master his sin (Gen. 4.7). But Cain, like the rest of us, chose to try to keep it secret.
Of course, he couldn’t. God sees and knows everything, and had to punish Cain because of his sin. Cain, like his parents when they sinned, was sent away from the Lord’s presence (Gen. 4.16). Yet, from the time of Cain until this very moment, people from all generations, cultures and nations have attempted to hide their “secret” sins from God and each other, and have suffered the same result … separation from God.
The Bible is filled with warnings about secret sins. “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence” (Psalm 90.8). “The sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right against the Lord” (2 Kings 17.9). “Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, and whose deeds are done in a dark place” (Isa. 29.15). “It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret” (Eph. 5.12). “Everyone who does evil hates the light … for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3.20). Thus, the admonition, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13.12).
With our laptops, tablets and smart phones, secret sin is easier than ever to conceal. But the availability of pornography, vulgarity and impurity on these devices also makes it easier for others to view that as a greater evil, and to ignore the secret sins they practice: envy, gossip, hatred, anger, slander, greed, etc. As with Cain, the opportunity to sin (secretly or otherwise) is only a part of the temptation. A wicked and evil heart is where temptation begins. When an evil heart has an opportunity to fulfill the evil desire, that is temptation. When the heart gives in to the temptation, that is when sin is committed (James 1.14-15).
There is no such things as secret sin in God’s eyes (Num. 32.23). All sin must be confessed and covered with the blood of Jesus to avoid separation from God. Cain had an opportunity to master his sin, but chose otherwise. What about you?
Since Cain killed Abel, people have been trying to hide their sins from God and those around them. That’s why Cain lured Abel to go out to the field with him (Gen. 4.6). No one would see what he was going to do. No one would know about it. Even when God asked Cain about his brother, he tried to deflect responsibility and truth by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4.9). God gave him a chance to admit his sin. He had urged him to do what is right and to master his sin (Gen. 4.7). But Cain, like the rest of us, chose to try to keep it secret.
Of course, he couldn’t. God sees and knows everything, and had to punish Cain because of his sin. Cain, like his parents when they sinned, was sent away from the Lord’s presence (Gen. 4.16). Yet, from the time of Cain until this very moment, people from all generations, cultures and nations have attempted to hide their “secret” sins from God and each other, and have suffered the same result … separation from God.
The Bible is filled with warnings about secret sins. “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence” (Psalm 90.8). “The sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right against the Lord” (2 Kings 17.9). “Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, and whose deeds are done in a dark place” (Isa. 29.15). “It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret” (Eph. 5.12). “Everyone who does evil hates the light … for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3.20). Thus, the admonition, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13.12).
With our laptops, tablets and smart phones, secret sin is easier than ever to conceal. But the availability of pornography, vulgarity and impurity on these devices also makes it easier for others to view that as a greater evil, and to ignore the secret sins they practice: envy, gossip, hatred, anger, slander, greed, etc. As with Cain, the opportunity to sin (secretly or otherwise) is only a part of the temptation. A wicked and evil heart is where temptation begins. When an evil heart has an opportunity to fulfill the evil desire, that is temptation. When the heart gives in to the temptation, that is when sin is committed (James 1.14-15).
There is no such things as secret sin in God’s eyes (Num. 32.23). All sin must be confessed and covered with the blood of Jesus to avoid separation from God. Cain had an opportunity to master his sin, but chose otherwise. What about you?
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ,
Fruitland, MO. He may be contacted at
joeandareva@yahoo.com
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