Like a lot of people, I’m tired of hearing about the secret sins of yet another public figure who’s violated his marriage vows for sex with someone else. The husband of an Oscar-winning actress, a former Presidential candidate, an iconic sports figure, a “family values” governor – sadly, the list is long.
And the timeless warning of the Bible continues to reverberate through our headlines: "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). So many continue to believe the lie: "I'm getting away with this. Nobody knows." It's obvious - if God knows, you're caught. And God knows.
The other day I heard an interview with the recently divorced wife of one of the prominent leaders who thought he was getting away with his adultery. As so often happens, the sordid story was revealed when it would shame him most and hurt the most people. His wife made a comment that has stuck with me ever since:
"You can pick your sin. You can't pick your consequences."
Ouch. No matter what the thrill, you will get the bill. And it will be expensive. The bill for sin always lasts longer than the thrill. God told us how we end up where we never thought we'd be - "After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:15). In short, sin always kills. Always. It kills your reputation...it kills your self-respect...people's trust in you...close relationships...future possibilities...your closeness to God. Nothing can stop the reaping of what you sow, and you can't pick your consequences.
Before we stand back all smug and self-righteous about public falls, we need to look in our own closets. The secret may be a habit or scheme or addiction we think no one knows about. It may just be in the "desire" stage - but desire "gives birth to sin." The ticking time bomb of secret sin or sinful desire must be disarmed before it goes off. The word for disarming it is "repentance." Changing your mind about that sin - hating the thing you never should have loved. Go to the Cross with that sin where Jesus died for it. Burn every bridge to that sin. Set up your life so you'll never go there again.
One day, there will be no such thing as a secret sin ever again. The day is coming "when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ" (Romans 2:16). It's much better to open the door on the closet now and get that sin out of your life before the price goes up.