You may have heard the saying, “everyone has secrets”, and in so many cases, I would argue that this saying is true. I watched a true crime television episode last night and was shocked to learn the secrets of a youth pastor that had come to light. Though his congregation and the people around him didn’t know what was going on behind closed doors, God certainly did. And likewise, for all of us around the world; young and old, rich and poor, righteous and sinful; though secrets can be kept from men, everything is in full view of God. Proverbs chapter 5 verse 21 reminds us:
“For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.”
I only mention the true crime story because I watched it recently and it came to mind when I was considering this verse. I certainly do not mean to imply that every church has evil lurking in the leadership. But I mention it to highlight the fact that even those whom we mistakenly think are blameless may be adept at fooling us, but they can’t keep their deep dark secrets from God. Nothing we do or say is hidden from him, so we should live our lives with this truth in mind. The Bible tells us that we’ll be judged according to what we say and do. And here we learn that our ways are in full view of the Lord. So, when God ultimately judges our actions, there won’t be a need for a spiritual investigation. There will be no “he said, she said” argument or confusion. There will be no need for eye witnesses or forensic evidence because God sees it all first hand.
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“For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths”. Whether we want to think about it or not, God knows the things we do in secret, the things we’re ashamed of, and the things that quite frankly could send us to hell if it weren’t for the blood of Jesus. But the good news is that he still loves us in spite of knowing the worst about us. And for those who think that they’ve got it all together and that they have nothing to hide, remember that our righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s sight. None of us are clean, but this scripture should help to keep us on the straight and narrow. Reminding ourselves that God is watching everything we say and do should change our actions and behavior for the better.
