Tag: Hidden Sin

The Dangers of Hidden Sin

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David Wilkersonby David Wilkerson

In Joshua 7, we find the entire nation of Israel wailing in prayer. The village of Ai had just defeated them and put them to chase. As a result, Joshua called an all-day prayer meeting and the people gathered before God’s mercy seat to seek him.

The defeat by Ai had totally baffled Joshua. The Israelites had just come from a huge victory over mighty Jericho, and tiny, insignificant Ai should have been an easy victory. Yet now they were defeated and he couldn’t understand it. Joshua prayed, “Lord, why did this happen? Your reputation as a deliverer is going to be reproached.”

This prayer may seem spiritual but the Lord was not pleased with being blamed and he stopped the meeting cold: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them” (Joshua 7:10-11).

The implied meaning is, “You can pray all night and all day but until you deal with your sin, you’re going to keep falling before your enemies.” The sin the Lord was referring to was Achan’s disobedience of the clear word of God by committing theft (see 7:1). And now the Lord told Israel, “Get up off your knees. I won’t hear your prayers until you remove the accursed thing from your midst.”

When Scripture says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23), it’s referring to more than public exposure. It involves every area of your life, including prayer and fellowship with him. Jesus said the Father demands righteousness under the New Covenant as well as the Old: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

You may believe you’re infused with Christ’s righteousness. You can pray for hours, study the Bible daily, and minister to the poor. But if you harbor sin against someone, you’re wasting your energy. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Are you angry with someone? The Lord is ready to answer your every prayer today and He wants to bless you as never before. But you have to believe his Word fully and accept what he says about sin. Then you will know God is hearing your prayers and he’ll come to you quickly!

by David Wilkerson

God Wants Your Life To Be An Open Book

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David Wilkerson Imageby David Wilkerson

God wants our life to be an open book. Therefore, He longs to rid us of all hidden sin—all dishonesty, underhandedness, deception, lying, fraud. That is why the Holy Spirit searches out everything in us that is not like Christ. And if we truly want to change, we’ll open up to His dealings.

You can forget about getting counselling, seeking self-help or restoring relationships until you experience God’s change in each of these areas. Put everything on the back burner until you’re ready to renounce all your hidden sin. When you have submitted to God’s Word and the transforming power of His Spirit, you won’t have to convince others you’ve changed. As you walk in His truth, the Holy Spirit will commend you to the consciences of everyone around you.

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

The Greek word for commending here means “God’s approval.” Paul says, “You won’t have to impress anybody that you’ve changed. God will move on their conscience, telling them inwardly, ‘This person has my blessing and approval.’”

No argument can refute the inner evidence that God’s Spirit has put in you. In fact, your change will either attract others or become a rebuke to them. The aura of Christ emanating from you will strike their very conscience. And that’s when you will find the power to influence others—through the changes taking place in you. You’ll find relationships being restored and you’ll recover your spiritual authority in your home.

You will no longer dwell on the changes that need to take place in others. Instead, you will be so encouraged by the changes God is working in you that you’ll realize, “Lord, I know everything is in Your hands and I resign myself to Your will. Just do in me what has to be done.”

Now is the time to give all your circumstances over into His hands. Forget trying to be delivered out of your crisis. Instead, focus on God’s changes in you as He makes you an overcomer. Stay in His Word, call diligently on His name, and trust the Holy Spirit. Make this the constant cry of your heart: “Change me, O God.”

by David Wilkerson