Ephesians 5:11-12

Day 47

“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” Ephesians 5:11-12

The Damaging World of Secrets
We have witnessed over and over again the damage that happens to the church due to past, secret sins. Especially in the realm of sexual immorality, sins from years past, or even decades past, have come to light with horrific shame. Moses warned Israel, “be sure that your sins will find you out.” In other words, Moses told Israel, your hidden sins will be discovered and expose you for what you really are. Paul told the church at Ephesus that they were to never participate in such sinful, secret behavior.  Rather, the church was called to bring such secret sins to light.  The church must not hide secret evil, but instead it must expose such evil.  Over the past several decades in the realm of sexual abuse, especially of children, many church leaders decided the best path forward was concealment, in the name of protecting the church’s reputation.  That approach violates this mandate for the church. God will deal with the fallout, but we must bring into the light the secret sins of darkness. If a minister has committed a serious sin or even a crime, as embarrassing and damaging as such an act may be, the correct approach is to confront and expose it immediately. Holding leaders to account and pursuing purity in the church must be a priority for the church.

There is a potential of self-deception, where lying occurs even to ourselves.  We tell lies.  The worst of our lies are sometimes to ourselves.  “It’s not that bad.” “No one knows.” “That was in my past and I’m different now.” “I won’t do it again.” And the worst of the worst, “God forgives me anyway so it doesn’t matter what I do.” In one of the most famous Psalms by David, Psalm 139, he ends the Psalm by praying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”  This is an interesting prayer at the end of this passage, in light of the rest of Psalm 139. David declared the omnipresence and omniscience of God to cause great fear but also brought him great encouragement. “You knitted me in my mother’s womb.” “Before there is a word on my tongue, you know it all.” Yet, David prayed for God, the all-knowing, ever-present Creator, to search him.  David’s prayer is not for God’s benefit but for David’s benefit. David prayed for God to take him on a tour of his own heart. God knew everything about David.  Now David, for fear that some hidden evil would destroy him, prayed for God to tell him even the sinful, hidden aspects of his life.

Suggested Prayer: Lord, reveal to me the hidden sins in my own heart. Disclose it and set me free. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. 

Ephesians