Hidden Sins

Life of Faith

31¶“For has anyone said to God,

‘I have endured punishment;

I will not offend anymore;

32Teach me what I do not see;

If I have done wrong,

I will not do it again’?

– Job 34:31-32

13Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins;

Let them not rule over me;

Then I will be innocent,

And I will be blameless of great wrongdoing.

– Psalm 19:13
(NASB® © 2020)

Job was very righteous and could not understand why a great calamity had befallen him. He felt it was unjust and fought eloquently for his innocence, even making accusations against the Almighty.

With the statement quoted above, Elihu made it clear that he was missing four statements in the words Job had addressed to God:

  • I will bear my punishment.
  • I will do no more evil.
  • Show me what I do not see.
  • If I have done wrong, I will do it no more.

Job was to submit to God’s discipline and put away all the evil and injustice he was aware of. Job was also to pray humbly: “What I do not see, show me”. An essential request – for us, too!

Understanding hidden sins

There may be transgressions in our lives that we have not yet discovered. Our conscience may not accuse us, but that does not mean that all is well (cf. 1 Cor 4:4; Lev 4:2).

All our sins are open to God, as Moses said: “You have set our iniquities before you, our hidden deeds before the light of your face” (Ps 90:8). But the question is whether we are aware of all the sins that rob us of our spiritual strength and impair our spiritual discernment.

An unconscious sin will certainly not have as far-reaching an effect as a sin in which the will of God is consciously disregarded. When a sin is committed unconsciously, it does not exclude the enjoyment of fellowship with God, which is undoubtedly the case with a deliberate transgression.

 

Discovering hidden sins

We should pray to discover our hidden sins to understand God’s perspective on our lives. This will protect us from wrong and evil ways.

David’s prayer can be ours: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there is any way of trouble with me, and lead me in the path of eternal life” (Ps 139:23, 24).

 

Being cleansed of hidden sins

If, under the influence of God’s Word, we discover a bad attitude or wrongdoing in ourselves, let us confess it honestly and openly to our God and allow ourselves to be changed with His help.

A deceptive characteristic of our hearts is that we sometimes consciously do not seek the light of God because we know that it might condemn our behavior. We instinctively realize something is wrong with us and deliberately do not pursue it. This is entirely wrong and contrary to wanting to make things right before God and live for His glory.

David already prayed: “Cleanse me from my hidden sins!” (Ps 19:13). This cleansing takes place when we confess. Then, we are freed from all unrighteousness and receive the full joy and spiritual strength God wants to give us.

May we pray more sincerely: “What I do not see, you show me.”

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Share this article:

You want to contact us? Ask a question or let us know what you think! 

Write a message here!

Leave a Comment

Abiding in Christ

This article is about abiding in Christ as both privilege and responsibility: only by living in dependence on His presence can believers bear “fruit” that reflects His character. It stresses that fruit isn’t produced by striving for it, but by focusing on Christ—“without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4–5

The Favor of the World

This article is about how the world’s praise can be shallow and fleeting. Using Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction to Daniel and the crowd’s reversal toward Paul, it warns that exaggerated favor can quickly turn into hostility without true inner change.
 Daniel 2,46

Which Believers Go Through the Great Tribulation?

This article is about whether today’s Christians will face the Great Tribulation. It argues the church will be raptured before end-time wrath, explains the rapture vs. Christ’s public appearing, and identifies the believers in Revelation’s tribulation as those who come to faith after the rapture.
Marriage & Family

Situationship

This article is about “situationships”: undefined, commitment-free relationships that blur friendship and romance. Using Leon and Emma as an example, it warns they create imbalance and hurt, and argues from a biblical view for clarity, responsibility, protection, purity, and commitment toward marriage.
Amos 3:3

The Hummingbird – a Masterpiece of God’s Creation

This article is about the hummingbird as a marvel of nature—exploring its unique hovering flight, specialized wing and muscle structure, extreme metabolism, nectar-feeding tongue design, and cooling methods, framed as evidence of divine creative power.
Romans 1:20

Scripture Alone?!

This article is about whether 2 Timothy 3:16–17 undermines “Scripture alone.” It argues the passage supports Scripture’s sufficiency, distinguishes apostolic teaching from later tradition, affirms NT authority, and says the church recognized—not created—the canon.
2 Timothy 3:16.17

Revelation—Not a Book with Seven Seals!

This article is about why the Bible’s book of Revelation isn’t a sealed mystery but an “unveiling” of future events centered on Jesus Christ. It explains key opening verses, symbolic language, the chain of revelation, and the blessing for reading, hearing, and keeping its message.
Revelation 1:1-3
Gospel

My Sin is Great

This article is about sincere confession: admitting our sin is great and seeking forgiveness for God’s name’s sake. It explains that faith trusts God’s mercy shown in Christ’s cross, producing honesty that doesn’t downplay guilt, and notes the Psalms’ purposeful order.
Psalm 25:11
Church/Assembly

All Present Before God

This article is about Acts 10:33 and Cornelius’s gathering as a model for Christian meetings: obedience to God’s leading, awareness of God’s presence, listening to the whole message without picking parts, and speaking only what God commands—nothing added or omitted.
Acts 10:33

Q&A What does it mean, that God has given us “of His Spirit”

This article is about the meaning of “from His Spirit” in 1 John 4:13, explaining it doesn’t mean believers receive only part of the Spirit. Instead, it highlights what proceeds from God’s Spirit—love, truth, holiness—becoming visible evidence that God abides in us.
1 John 3:24; 4:13

Our Great High Priest

This article is about Jesus as the superior High Priest in Hebrews: His once-for-all sacrifice for sin, His ongoing heavenly service with compassion and help for believers, and His continual intercession before God that brings grace, mercy, and confidence to draw near.
Hebrews 2:17–18; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24
Bible Study

The Old Man and The New Man

This article is about the New Testament concepts of the “old self” and “new self”: the old self judged and crucified with Christ, the new self created in His resurrection, and how believers should live out their new identity by putting off old traits and displaying Christlike ones.
Romans 6:6; Ephesians 2:15; 4:22.24; Colossians 3:9.10