The sneaky secret room is just down the hall from worry and hopeless rooms. There is no sign on this door though, probably, everyone has one. We have all visited there at one time or another.
Currently, I am reading through the book of Proverbs and this verse jumped out at me.
Proverbs 9: 17-18 “Stolen water is refreshing, food eaten in secret tastes the best! But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.”
Here are a few thoughts or mind games that I think get played in this particular room.
1. We justify whatever it is we are doing.
2. We deny it.
3. We lie about it.
4. We tell ourselves it won’t matter.
5. No one will notice or care.
6. It will only affect me - if it affects anyone!
7. God does not mind. It is not really a sin, at least not today.
However, if we are truthful, the effect of what goes on in the secret room can be profound.
1. Unconfessed or hidden sin matures. It does not lessen.
2. We lose our confidence before God’s throne every time we go to pray. “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” (1 John 3:21) We will have confidence before His throne when our heart and mind are not weighed down by the compromises in our life.
3. Corrupt or wrong thinking will seep into other parts of our life.
4. When our lives are compromised, it does affect others. It is like saying a walking bridge that has cracks and a weakened structure, will not affect those who walk on it. Rather, It puts everyone who uses that bridge in danger.
5. Lastly, it grieves God. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4: 30
What should we do if we have been making ourselves comfortable in this room?
1. Ask God what He wants you to do. Is it a problem? If so, confess it before God and if needed, confess to a helpful, trusted friend.
2. I can feel guilty very easily, so when I have something nagging me, I ask God to show me if there is something I need to confess.
I have had my share of visits to this room, sometimes it is where I sit and grumble and complain. Other times, I nurse a resentment - rehearsing the injustice over and over. I find it is where bad decisions and poor attitudes and thoughts are unhelpfully nurtured.
How about you? How is your secret room doing? Have you been there lately?
Dear Father,
Thank you for loving me all the time, no matter what. I ask that you would give me the courage to be honest about this “secret room” in my life. Am I storing anything there that is causing me to stumble and, in turn, perhaps those around me? Show me so I can confess it and be clean before You. Thank you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen