Confronting Secret Sins: The Path to True Righteousness

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound nature of secret sins, it becomes evident that self-righteousness often stems from ignorance of God's law. Many believe themselves righteous because they fail to grasp the depth and severity of divine law. Once the law is truly understood, self-righteousness crumbles, revealing the need for divine cleansing from hidden faults. The decree by the Church of Rome, which mandates confession of all sins to a priest, is criticized for its impracticality, as it overlooks the vast number of sins unknown even to ourselves. These secret sins, though hidden from human eyes, are fully visible to God, who sees all actions and thoughts.

The folly of secret sins lies in the mistaken belief that they can be hidden. God's omniscience means that nothing is truly secret. The misery of living a double life, professing righteousness while harboring sin, is highlighted as a source of deep internal conflict and fear of exposure. Such hypocrisy is not only foolish but also dangerous, as it leads to a hardened heart and a life of deception.

The guilt of secret sins is profound, as it implies a practical atheism—a denial of God's omnipresence and omniscience. Secret sins are not lesser because they are hidden; rather, they are more insidious because they betray a lack of reverence for God. The danger of secret sins is that they often lead to more public sins, as one cannot contain sin within the confines of secrecy. It grows and eventually manifests outwardly, leading to greater spiritual peril.

For true Christians, even small sins should not be tolerated, as they can spoil one's communion with Christ. The call is to bring these sins to light, confess them, and seek God's grace to overcome them. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt plea for those struggling with secret sins to choose between their sin and eternal life, urging them to renounce sin and embrace the fullness of life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding God's Law: True understanding of God's law reveals the depth of our sinfulness and the inadequacy of self-righteousness. It is only through this revelation that we can see the need for divine cleansing from hidden faults. [01:39]

2. The Folly of Secrecy: Believing that sins can be hidden from God is a grave mistake. God's omniscience means that nothing is truly secret, and this awareness should lead us to live transparently before Him. [07:13]

3. The Misery of Hypocrisy: Living a double life, professing righteousness while harboring sin, leads to internal conflict and fear of exposure. True peace comes from integrity and authenticity in our walk with God. [12:09]

4. The Guilt of Secret Sins: Secret sins betray a practical atheism, as they imply a lack of reverence for God's omnipresence. Recognizing this guilt should drive us to repentance and a deeper relationship with God. [22:01]

5. The Danger of Small Sins: Even small sins can grow and lead to greater spiritual peril. Christians are called to bring these sins to light, confess them, and seek God's grace to overcome them, maintaining a pure and sincere faith. [30:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Ignorance of God's Law
- [01:06] - Self-Righteousness Exposed
- [01:39] - Cleansing from Secret Faults
- [02:28] - The Absurdity of Confession Decrees
- [03:33] - The Reality of Hidden Sins
- [05:12] - The Folly of Secret Sins
- [07:13] - God's Omniscience
- [09:36] - The Misery of Hypocrisy
- [12:09] - The Guilt of Secret Sins
- [20:04] - The Danger of Secret Sins
- [25:51] - The Growth of Sin
- [30:02] - The Call to Repentance
- [32:19] - The Choice Between Sin and Salvation
- [36:28] - The Urgency of Decision

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 19:12 - "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 19:12 suggest about our ability to recognize our own sins?
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between self-righteousness and ignorance of God's law? [00:19]
3. According to the sermon, why is the decree by the Church of Rome regarding confession considered impractical? [01:57]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of secret sins that might be hidden from others but not from God? [06:07]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of God's law lead to the realization of one's own sinfulness, as discussed in the sermon? [01:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that secret sins can lead to a hardened heart and a life of deception? [05:50]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of "practical atheism" in relation to secret sins? [22:01]
4. What does the sermon imply about the potential consequences of allowing small sins to persist in one's life? [30:02]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you might have underestimated the seriousness of a "small" sin. How did it affect your relationship with God? [30:02]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living transparently before God. What steps can you take this week to ensure you are living with integrity and authenticity? [07:13]
3. Consider a secret sin you might be struggling with. What practical steps can you take to bring it to light and seek God's grace to overcome it? [32:19]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's law to prevent self-righteousness from taking root in your life? [00:19]
5. The sermon warns against the misery of living a double life. How can you ensure that your public and private lives align with your faith? [12:09]
6. What specific actions can you take to avoid the danger of small sins growing into larger ones? [30:02]
7. How can you support others in your small group who may be struggling with secret sins, while maintaining a spirit of grace and encouragement? [32:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Depth of God's Law
Understanding God's law reveals the profound nature of our sinfulness and the inadequacy of self-righteousness. Many people consider themselves righteous because they do not fully grasp the depth and severity of divine law. When one truly understands God's law, self-righteousness crumbles, and the need for divine cleansing from hidden faults becomes apparent. This realization is crucial for spiritual growth, as it leads to a deeper awareness of one's own shortcomings and the necessity of seeking God's grace. [01:39]

"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." (James 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you underestimated the depth of God's law in your life, and how can you seek a deeper understanding of it today?


Day 2: The Illusion of Hidden Sins
The belief that sins can be hidden from God is a grave mistake. God's omniscience means that nothing is truly secret, and this awareness should lead us to live transparently before Him. The folly of secret sins lies in the mistaken belief that they can be concealed. This understanding should encourage individuals to live with integrity and authenticity, knowing that God sees all actions and thoughts. Embracing this truth can lead to a more honest and open relationship with God, free from the burden of hidden sins. [07:13]

"Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one secret sin you have been trying to hide, and how can you bring it into the light before God today?


Day 3: The Conflict of Hypocrisy
Living a double life, professing righteousness while harboring sin, leads to internal conflict and fear of exposure. The misery of hypocrisy is a source of deep internal turmoil, as it creates a life of deception and a hardened heart. True peace comes from integrity and authenticity in one's walk with God. By acknowledging and confessing hidden sins, individuals can experience the freedom and peace that come from living a life of honesty and transparency before God. [12:09]

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are living a double life? How can you take a step towards integrity and authenticity today?


Day 4: The Guilt of Secret Sins
Secret sins betray a practical atheism, as they imply a lack of reverence for God's omnipresence. The guilt of secret sins is profound, as it reflects a denial of God's omnipresence and omniscience. Recognizing this guilt should drive individuals to repentance and a deeper relationship with God. By acknowledging the seriousness of secret sins, believers can seek God's forgiveness and strive to live a life that honors His presence in every aspect. [22:01]

"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." (Luke 8:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing the guilt of secret sins change your perspective on your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to address this today?


Day 5: The Peril of Small Sins
Even small sins can grow and lead to greater spiritual peril. Christians are called to bring these sins to light, confess them, and seek God's grace to overcome them, maintaining a pure and sincere faith. The danger of small sins is that they often lead to more public sins, as one cannot contain sin within the confines of secrecy. By addressing even the smallest sins, believers can prevent them from growing and manifesting outwardly, leading to a more faithful and sincere walk with Christ. [30:02]

"Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." (Song of Solomon 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small sin in your life that you have been ignoring, and how can you take action to address it today?

Quotes


Self-righteousness arises partly from Pride but mainly from ignorance of God's law it is because men know little or nothing concerning the Terrible character of the Divine Law that they foolishly imagine themselves to be righteous they are not aware of the deep spirituality and the stern severity of the law or they would have other and wiser Notions. [00:19:24]

In the Lan Council of the Church of Rome a decree was passed that every True Believer must confess his sins all of them once a year to the priest and they affixed to it this declaration that there is no hope of Pardon but in compl l in with that decree what can equal the absurdity of such a decree as that. [01:43:52]

Pretender thou art fair to look upon thy conduct outwardly upright amiable liberal generous and Christian but thou dust indulge in some sin which the eye of man has not yet detected Perhaps it is private drunkenness thou does revile the drunkard when he staggers through the street but thou can thyself indulge in the same Habit in private. [06:09:20]

The eye of God ha seen it thou Hast sinned before his face thou has shut to the door and drawn the curtains and kept out the eye of the Sun but God's eye piercethe Darkness the brick walls which surrounded thee were as transparent as glass to the eye of the almighty the darkness which did good thee was as bright as the Summer's noon. [07:07:36]

Of all Sinners the man who makes a profession of religion and yet lives in iniquity is the most miserable a downright Wicked man who takes a glass in his hand and says I am a drunkard I am not ashamed of it he shall be unutterably miserable in world world to come but brief though it be he has his hour of pleasure. [12:09:24]

Secret sins bring fevered eyes and sleepless nights until men burn out their consciences and become in very deed ripe for the pit hypocrisy is a hard game to play at for it is one deceiver against many Observers and for certain it is a miserable trade which will earn at last as its certain climax a tremendous bankruptcy. [18:08:12]

Now I hold that secret sin if anything is the worst of sin because secret sin implies that the man who commits it has Atheism in his heart you will ask how can that be I reply he may be a professing Christian but I shall tell him to his face that he is a practical atheist if he labors to keep up a respectable profession before man. [22:00:00]

One danger is that a man cannot commit a little sin in secret without being by and by betrayed into a public sin you cannot sir though you may think you can preserve a moderation in sin if you commit one sin it is like the melting of the lower glassier upon the Alps the others must follow in time. [25:45:12]

I speak to you and I speak to myself when I say this let us destroy all our little sins they are called little and if they be let us remember that it is the foxes even the little foxes that spoil our Vines for our Vin have tender shoots let us take heed of our little sins a little sin like a little Pebble in the shoe. [30:10:48]

I have come to entreat you if it be possible even to tears that you will give up your secret sins I have one here for whom I bless God I love him though I know him not he is Almost Persuaded to be a Christian he halth between two opinions he intende to serve God he striveth to give up sin but he findeth it a hard struggle. [32:19:36]

Will you have your sin and go to hell or leave your sin and go to heaven this is the solemn alternative to all awakened Sinners I put it may God choose for you otherwise our tremble as to which you may choose the pleasures of this life are so intoxicating the joys of it so ens snaring that did I not believe that God worketh in us to Will to do. [33:01:36]

Oh that God would turn you to himself oh may God give you Grace to cross the Rubicon of repentance at this very hour to say henceforth it is war to the knife with my sins not one of them will I willingly keep but down with them down with them Canaanite hittite jebusite they shall all be driven out the dearest Idol I have known. [37:06:00]

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Transcript
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