Hidden Sin is Not Secret to God

Hidden sin is not secret to God. And hidden sin does not go without its consequences.

Joseph's brothers in Genesis 42-45 realized this when they went to Egypt to get grain for their families. For years they had been concealing the sin of selling their brother, Joseph, to Egypt to be a slave and for lying to their father about his supposed death.

There is a cost to living with hidden sin. The company a person keeps torments them. People who live with hidden sin entertain the companions of guilt, anxiety, uncertainty, and paranoia. Interestingly, their foes become mercy, grace, integrity, and faithfulness. These qualities, that they once knew, no longer abide in their being. For righteousness cannot live among evil. This truth is realized in this person’s dealings, their decisions, and their thoughts. They are consumed with themselves, their dreams, their vision and their purpose.

After a while, their new companions have a grave effect not only on their inner being, their personal character, but also their appearance. The Psalmist tells us, “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.” (Psalm 32:3-4).

It is not until sin is confessed and reconciliation with God and men is complete, that a person will experience peace, insight, wisdom, and fruit. They may experience marginal peace, insight, wisdom, and fruit, but never the fullness of God.

Joseph, unlike his brothers, was faithful to God. He chose not to sin because he loved and honored God more than his own fleshly desires. In the end, he was fruitful in all he did, regardless of the affliction he endured. He never lost his companions of mercy, grace, integrity, and faithfulness. He showed this when he forgave his brothers, reconciled those relationships, and blessed them.

Joseph was a man, not a boy. Boys hang onto their selfish desires, but men do the right thing and surrender their will to God's. Joseph put childish things behind him; he pressed onward for the prize set before him: the example of a forgiving Savior.