Because they do not want to embarrass themselves, they do not want anyone to know, because to them, putting on a false face is more comfortable than revealing to others who they truly are.
It is not so much seeking the praise of men with these we speak of as it is wanting to maintain favor in the eyes of others, they do not want to lose that which lies have obtained for them.
“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;” (Mark 6:7)
Judas Iscariot was sent out, how many miracles were performed by him personally we are not told, but under the cover of a cloak of falsehood he went out.
One may think keeping a secret from others for over three years would bring much pressure and strain in a person’s life, but my friends, there are those who have done so for much longer.
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;” (2nd Tim. 4:10a)
Having an open sore but covering it with something that makes it feel temporarily better, yet does nothing to cure it, is living a lie and will never cause that sore to go away.
What if there was a small video monitor above the heads of everyone who sat in the church pews each Sunday morning, what do you suppose you would witness? What if we always adhered to Colossians 3:9?
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
It is called being brutally honest, and I have found over the course of my life that few honestly want to hear truth, either about you or themselves.
“Best to keep somethings to ourselves.”
We do not truly realize just how much all of us have in common, even when the truth of 1st Corinthians 10:13a is realized by us, we still keep somethings to ourselves.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:”
Even after we know we are to confess our faults to each other, bear each other’s burdens, live our lives together in the bonds of love, in faith and hope with all who will reside eternally in the Kingdom of the Almighty, many times we keep that false face on.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov. 17:17)
I do not know if those first century Christians were closer to each other in this regard or not than we are today, embarrassment does not change with the centuries, but I do know this, those who say, “That’s between God and me,” are those who do not know the depth of love that we are to have for each other.
If you knew even half of the sins I have committed in my life, I could still look you in the eye and say, “I have done worse, much worse.”
These are not those I speak of, although at times it may be necessary for you to offer at least a part of your testimony to someone about the grace and mercy of the Lord that brought you out of that sinful life must be brought up. I speak here of temptations that will not abate, of seeking for the living water in the dry and thirst land from a brother or sister in Christ who has walked through that particular valley, one who also knew the shame you may be feeling.
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1st Cor. 13:12)
Do not wait for someone to shout from the rooftop what you could have professed earlier in your life my friends, you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, trust those you know who also trust Him.
Opening up your heart to someone is never easy, for we all know that when we do that they will then have something, something very personal, that can be used against us, and we tend to fear that thought.
We walk alone on the path so many times when we do not have to.
Take the false face off, learn to trust, you will gain more than you could ever have hoped to.
