We live in a time when making things public has almost become the norm.. The internet and social media make it possible to publish everything quickly and easily. If you are so inclined, anyone can immediately see where you’ve been, what you’re doing, what you like, what’s important to you, and what you think. So much is now public. The possibility of publicity and openness itself isn’t a bad thing. It can also be used to do good. But there is a problem: we are losing the value and meaning of things that are hidden. Yet the hidden things are so important to God!
God is a God who hides Himself (Isaiah 45:15). Hidden things are of great importance to God. He has hidden the whole spiritual world for us, and for good reason. We cannot see into it; we cannot see heaven or hell, angels or demons, God or the devil. That is why faith is so important. Through faith in God’s Word, we realize that there is so much more than just the visible.
God is in secret, which is why He hears everything that happens in secret, everything we say and do in secret and even our thoughts. God sees what is hidden and He will judge us one day according to what we have done in secret (Romans 2:16).
Hebrews 4:13 says “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Jesus talks about the hidden things in the Sermon on the Mount (read Matthew 6). First He talks about giving alms, then about prayer and finally about fasting. These are three important things, but they only have value before God if we do them in secret. Why is it so important to God? God is always concerned with our heart and our motives (1 Samuel 16:7). Are we really doing all this just for Him or to be seen by people? Our human nature (the flesh) desires visible recognition. That is why we are all in danger of becoming hypocrites.
This is why God values what is hidden so much. It is in what is hidden that we reveal who we really are, because there is no reason to pretend to be something we are not. Are you prepared to work in secret? No one notices, but you give money to someone because they are in need. No one knows, but you pray for someone who is lost. No one notices, but you fast for a hopeless situation because you care about people. No one will know, only your Father, who sees what is hidden, is watching closely, and will reward you publicly. The Father longs for children who seek His approval and not that of people.
Matthew 6:17-18 (NIV): “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Does this mean that we should keep everything hidden? No, not at all. There is also another side to this. Satan also wants some things to remain hidden. He wants us to sin secretly and hide it so that nobody notices (John 3:20). Hidden sin has great power, it binds people. The power of such sin can be broken if we confess and expose it. Sometimes it can help if we confide in someone and pray about it together.
Proverbs 28:13: “He who covers his sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Another point is God’s honor. Satan wants to do everything in his power to prevent us from publicly honoring God and glorifying Him. Yet it is so important to God!
Psalm 50:15: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Psalm 40:10: “I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation: I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.”
Scripture also tells us that we are to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). We are not to be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). We are to confess Jesus before men (Matthew 10:32). This is only possible if we do this publicly.
It is not God, but Satan, who wants to keep these things hidden! He wants us to be ashamed and keep everything to ourselves. He even hides it under false humility. So how should we differentiate? When should I do something openly and when should I hide it? Examine your own heart, what is your motivation for doing something publicly? Check whether God’s honor is your goal and then let the Lord use you.
Psalm 115:1 (ESV) “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
Willi Albrecht
Eppingen, Germany
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