Can You Keep A Secret?

Can You Keep a Secret?

When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

Have you ever done something really kind for someone else and then wanted to slip it into a conversation with others? The practice of “secrecy” is keeping certain things just between you and God. Secrets are usually seen as bad, and sometimes they are. There are many places in Scripture, however, where the ability to keep a secret is an important character trait. Jesus asked those he healed to keep their interactions with him a secret. He spoke of the importance of keeping some prayers and good deeds secret in order to keep one’s motives pure.

This week, you will practice secrecy in three different ways: first, by abstaining from telling others about your good deeds in order to deny yourself attention from them; second, by intentionally keeping the secrets of others in order to strengthen your trustworthiness; and third, by developing secrets with the Lord as a way to deepen your relationship with him.