2 Samuel 12:12
“You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.”
This is another trait of life. That which is done in secret will be made public. Jesus said this in Luke 12:3, "Instead, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken into the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops." King Solomon said this in Ecclesiastes 10:20, "Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech."
These are warnings to us. The bible tells us not to gossip. Talking badly about people is forbidden in scripture. James 4:11 says, "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge." We shouldn't do this primarily because we are to love one another. Today's topic is another reason. If it's habitual, we'll be found out and we'll be seen as a bad friend.
David stole a man's wife and had him killed. That's as bad as it gets. Granted it wasn't his plan. It started as adultery, but she got pregnant and it spun out of control. Which is common with sin. We think we can get away with it. No one sees it and we won't get caught. Sin can't be contained, but is messy and harmful. Today's topic of it being revealed can keep us from sin. At the beginning stages of sin, before it's a habit is when it has the least hold on us. If we know that it will be made public can keep us from it.
The revelation of our sin isn't always as we think. The sin has a way of spreading to other behaviors and actions. All of the sudden, part of it slips and there it is. Because people gossip, it's spread.
In a sense this is the fear of the Lord. We respect God and His principles. While fear of being caught is self serving, it at least believes Him. This is God fearing. Which we know is the beginning of wisdom. Job 28:28 says, "And He said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"
God can intervene. While the secret being made public is a principle, God's mercy helps. David prayed in Psalm 25:7, "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving." I have prayed similar things. I have prayed that the sowing and reaping process will be interrupted.
God wants us to be pure and to avoid sin. He helps us. The Lord's Prayer says, "and keep us from evil." Psalm 119:9 says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word." His Word gives us instructions and warnings. He also empowers us to avoid sin. He can alter circumstances. Sin is still a struggle, but He helps.
Lord, help us to heed this warning. To stay away from sin. Thank You for Your Word and Your help.