Privacy

One time, many years ago, I was reading Jeremiah 17:9 ~  The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? After I read it, it occurred to me how cool it is that what's in our hearts is private. (I was about two years old in the Lord at the time). I reveled in the realization that when I'm talking to you, you can't see what's in my heart and I can't see what's in yours! You may say, big deal, I already knew that. But...have you ever really thought about it? Our God is so exceedingly gracious that He set it up this way. He didn't have to. We could have computer screens on our foreheads showing what we're REALLY thinking when our good friend asks, 'How do you like my new hairdo?' (and you DON'T like it!) Maybe, in a few cases, this would be a good thing. It would certainly keep us honest, wouldn't it? NO MORE WHITE LIES!  :)

But, really, isn't it a wonderful thing? It's a two-way street. Not only am I protected, but so are you! Once again, He has given us a choice. We can be honest with each other, or we can not be honest with each other. Of course, He wants us to be honest with each other, yet with grace and diplomacy. You might ask me what I think about that guy you're dating. I might think he's a major jerk. But, because you can't see what's in my heart, I can tactfully say, 'You might want to check him out pretty thoroughly before you get too deeply involved with him.'

But, the other/real issue here is...you can't see the sin in my heart and I can't see the sin in yours. We all harbor sin in our hearts...past, present and future. When you and I are out together having coffee or lunch, you can't see all the horrid sins I committed since I've become His daughter. I can't see the sins you're contemplating committing. Neither of us can see the sin in each other that even we don't know is lurking there! He alone knows these things and because He is such a gentleman, full of grace and truth (per John 1:14), He has given us the privilege of privacy concerning such. Really...do you know of any other 'little-g' god who is as gracious as He is? And what other god is so ready to forgive? He is waiting for us to recognize our sins and bring them to Him, confessing them for what they are and trusting Him to forgive us and cleanse us rather than shame us and display our wicked behavior before others. Oh, what a GOOD God we belong to! I thank Him for the privacy He has given us which we so take for granted! (But He probably knew NONE of us would even like each other had He not!)   :)