Do you have a dark secret that you’ve kept from others? Maybe you did something you think is so bad that if people found out about it they would have nothing to do with you. Perhaps you’re hooked on watching porn or you struggle with substance abuse. Maybe you’re carrying deep hatred for someone who hurt you.
Some people think that it’s best to keep such skeletons tucked away in a closet. But as one man learned, keeping dark secrets can be its own punishment.
Second Samuel 11 tells the story of how David, Israel’s second king, chose to have sex with another man’s wife and got her pregnant. When he was unable to cover it up, he arranged for the woman’s husband to be placed on the front lines where he died in battle. Shortly thereafter he married the grieving widow (2 Samuel 11:1-27).
For over a year, David hid his secret. He didn’t tell a single soul, refusing even to discuss it with God. But keeping it hush-hush tore him up inside. In Psalm 32, David wrote about this time in his life, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long” (Psalm 32:3). The torture of hiding his secret ended when he broke down and confessed what he had done. “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. . . . And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:5; see also 2 Samuel 12:1-13).
Are you hiding a secret that’s making you sick inside? Confess it to the Lord and consider sharing it with someone safe who won’t be put off, won’t put you down, nor pull away from you. You’ll discover one of the “best kept secrets” of life—the power of vulnerably confessing our faults to each other (James 5:16).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 12:1-16
More:
Read Psalm 51:1-12 and consider where true confession to God can lead.
Next:
What’s keeping you from confessing your dark secret sins to God? How does unconfessed sin affect you and those you love?
Gary Shultz on February 18, 2015 at 6:14 am
It is true; however, easier said than done, especially if a confidant washed on you. God, I trust, everything bare and open, it seems like the main event with Him. After that, it depends on the circumstances for me. I may tell you where some of the fish are, but I really need to know your heart before all the sweet spots get reveled. Thanks, good fish’n
Jeff Olson on February 18, 2015 at 11:44 am
Great and realistic fishing analogy…it’s takes time to build that level of trust
godlove on February 18, 2015 at 10:29 am
Good confidants are very difficult to find. I readily open up totally and completely to GOD, expressing my deepest weaknesses. As for telling a fellow man…
James 5:16(a) is one of the most difficult verses for me to practice in my walk of faith.
Tom Felten on February 18, 2015 at 10:55 am
Jeff, this reminds me of the importance of having close relationships with trusted people before calamity or failure occurs. It’s so much better to be able to confess to someone our dark secrets if they’ve already been walking closely with us. I’m blessed to have four guys who I meet with weekly. We share our struggles, pain, joys, and tears. I’m grateful that I can go to my heavenly Father in prayer and to also share with these brothers in Jesus.
alli on February 18, 2015 at 11:04 am
sadly this rarely happens bc ppl who sin rarely have grace for others who sin.even in church if its a sin you feel you are above committing which is the essence of spiritual pride, usually you are confronted with judgement..ppl who are merciful realize their desperate need of mercy, but to those who have no need of God this is impossible
godlove on February 18, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Exactly my thoughts alli! Think of the two men praying in Jesus’ parable of Luke 18:10-13. Just imagine the reaction of the Pharisee if the tax collector had come to him confessing his weaknesses. I do have close guys like you Tom, but unfortunately I think they would immediately become judgemental if I shared my “dark secrets” with them. It would be so relieving to talk about it with a brother (or sister, why not?) but in the present state I stand to lose face if I did, so I rather keep those skeletons well stashed away in the proverbial closet. Meanwhile I keep praying that the Good Lord helps me to find a way out.
Winn Collier on March 5, 2015 at 11:10 am
We have been practicing the work of confession in our church. Yesterday, a friend said to me, “It really is destructive to keep things in the dark.” It is