Read 1 Timothy 5
24-25The sins of some people are blatant and march them right into court. The sins of others don't show up until much later. The same with good deeds. Some you see right off, but none are hidden forever. (The Message)
What is seen is not always all that is there; both the good and the bad can remain hidden. A problem arises when we try to hide the bad and show off the good. It always leads to trouble because in time ones true nature will always rise to the surface. Paul's words of wisdom to Timothy and to us encourage us to look below the surface of people's actions and not assume that what we first see is all the reality that is present. But it isn't just other people's actions that we need to be aware of, it is also our own.
Looking at our own actions is not always comfortable. When we really stop and ask ourselves why we would rather have somethings remain hidden we should be ready for a rude awaking. We might find that our pride doesn't allow us to be honest about our lives. It could be that we will discover that we are continuing in the sin that has been hidden and we really don't want to change. It could be a number of things that encourage us to keep our sins hidden but as long as they are hidden from those who hold us accountable they will always hold power over us. What I have found is that as I make my sins public in confession to those I'm accountable to the power of the sins begin to lose their hold on my life. What is hidden will become visible all in good time. It is simply a matter of how long you want them to keep you captive.
Looking at our own actions is not always comfortable. When we really stop and ask ourselves why we would rather have somethings remain hidden we should be ready for a rude awaking. We might find that our pride doesn't allow us to be honest about our lives. It could be that we will discover that we are continuing in the sin that has been hidden and we really don't want to change. It could be a number of things that encourage us to keep our sins hidden but as long as they are hidden from those who hold us accountable they will always hold power over us. What I have found is that as I make my sins public in confession to those I'm accountable to the power of the sins begin to lose their hold on my life. What is hidden will become visible all in good time. It is simply a matter of how long you want them to keep you captive.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What sins and good works do you think Paul might have been referring to here?
- When you think about the way you present yourself to others do you think they are thinking of what they see or wondering about what they don't see?
- How do you deal with the things in your life that you are not proud of?
- How might your walk with God improve if you had someone that you could trust to hold you accountable for both the things that are seen and unseen in your life?
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