What are the consequences of hiding? - Hiding - TouchPoints

Psalm 32:3, 5When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. . . . Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Attempting to hide our sin results in guilt, which can cause negative emotional and physical side effects. Hiding from God may be our attempt to avoid his punishment and discipline, but how can we hide from an all-knowing God? And why should we hide from an all-loving God? In the end, we’re only hiding from his forgiveness, his mercy, and a restored relationship with him.

Jonah 1:10The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.

The consequences of hiding are not always private and often involve others negatively. One moment of private sin may bring irreparable harm to those around us.

Matthew 6:18“No one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Matthew 10:26“Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.”

Luke 8:17“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.”

Luke 12:2“The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.”

Romans 2:16The day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Ultimately, all that is hidden will be revealed, judged by God, and either condemned or rewarded.