Trusting God with What’s Hidden - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - November 19
“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open”-- Luke 8:17
Tell-all books are not my cup of tea, as they reveal family secrets, publicly expose people’s sins, bring shame to those uncovered, and stir up harsh and cruel comments from those who read them.
Sometimes, these books are disguised and presented to us as autobiographies, only to discover that, within their pages, the author is exposing the many sins of others, written without love or forgiveness, aimed to hurt and bring destruction to those who are exposed.
As Proverbs 10:12 explains, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
It’s true that love covers those who are struggling or caught in sin; it doesn’t throw family members and friends under the bus in hopes of making a profit.
Perhaps, sometimes, it is a desperate last-ditch attempt to push individuals exposed to seek help and change, but most often, it leads those exposed to shame and condemnation rather than redemption.
Families Who Try to Cover One Another
Most families have things hidden in their family trees, but not necessarily for the wrong reasons. Many do because they love the people involved and want to protect them from being destroyed by their sins being publicly exposed.
Families who love one another often do what Proverbs 17:9 describes: “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
If family members want to come out in the open and share their struggles, then that’s their decision, not something others should dictate to them.
God calls us to confess our sins, but He doesn’t call us to expose the sins of others. Jesus, in John 8:7, dealt with a group of men who were publicly exposing a woman’s sin, and this is what He did.
“When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”
We are not sinless, as 1 John 1:8 reminds us: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
God Encourages Private Confrontation Over Public Exposure
It’s not wrong to deal with an individual’s sins privately. By doing so, they are allowed to repent, recover, and be restored.
After all, James 5:20 reminds us, “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
However, when God points out that all things hidden will be exposed, He’s speaking of His right to do so, not something He’s given us to do. Instead, He calls us to do as 1 Peter 4:8 urges, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
As Jesus taught in Matthew 18:15, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
God calls us to confess our own sins and encourage others to confess theirs, on their own. He wants individuals to repent and be restored, not publicly chided by the masses.
As James 5:16 encourages, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Revealing other people’s sins doesn’t come from a heart of love but usually from a heart filled with resentment, vengeance, and hatred.
Even So, It’s a Family Matter
Still, there is a time when Jesus instructs us to make it a church matter, but this is still handled like a private family matter, not a public exposure and humiliation.
Jesus continued to teach in Matthew 18:16-17, “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
God reserves the right to be the one who handles our accounts, as Hebrews 4:13 explains. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Let’s pray: Dear Father, lead us foremost to confess our own sins to You, and secondly, to lead others in a loving way to confess their own sins. Guard our hearts from wanting to publicly expose others, opening them up to ridicule, out of hurt, resentment, and even hatred. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflect on today’s devotional and share how God is speaking to you through His Word. Join the discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Olga Pankova
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber
Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
