Secrets in a beliver's life

[ConfusedSally]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret. It is also very clear about keeping other's secrets and coming to them before others when those secrets include things that go against the walk of a believer laid out in scripture. I am a believer and I actually have a degree in Bibilical studies so I have dove deep in trying to find answer for myself but honestly feel at a loss with what I have found.

Scripture is not clear about secrets in your own life. This is my question. I have a secret, no a small secret but one that is large in my life. But my secret involves others too. I don't like my secret, I feel hypocritical because I believe in honesty etc as a whole but to tell my truth means I force 3 others secrets out as well. This is where i don't know what is morally right to do? I have asked advice from two of my closest friends who are both strong believers but honestly their answers couldn't have been more different, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Which honestly this might end up the same way. I keep reading scripture and praying and I come to the same place: I do not like my secret and feel hypocritical keeping it, which makes me feel like it would be best to right this BUT scripture is also very clear about keeping other secrets so I don't feel clean to just come out with it. No, there is no way to speak my truth without it being others secret coming out too.

 

[Andyindauk]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret. It is also very clear about keeping other's secrets and coming to them before others when those secrets include things that go against the walk of a believer laid out in scripture. I am a believer and I actually have a degree in Bibilical studies so I have dove deep in trying to find answer for myself but honestly feel at a loss with what I have found.

Scripture is not clear about secrets in your own life. This is my question. I have a secret, no a small secret but one that is large in my life. But my secret involves others too. I don't like my secret, I feel hypocritical because I believe in honesty etc as a whole but to tell my truth means I force 3 others secrets out as well. This is where i don't know what is morally right to do? I have asked advice from two of my closest friends who are both strong believers but honestly their answers couldn't have been more different, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Which honestly this might end up the same way. I keep reading scripture and praying and I come to the same place: I do not like my secret and feel hypocritical keeping it, which makes me feel like it would be best to right this BUT scripture is also very clear about keeping other secrets so I don't feel clean to just come out with it. No, there is no way to speak my truth without it being others secret coming out too.

Hi Sally,

Would love to help but there's not enough info as to the nature of the secret, the effect of revelation on any innocents and why you feel this compulsion to break this confidence.

I recall one guy in here asking advice about his situation; he was having an affair with his pastor's wife. I advised him to break off the affair but to keep it secret because if he confessed to his wife that would have resulted in two divorces, and God hates divorce.

I'd think carefully about the effect of revealing the confidence and weigh that against your need to expose it.

Hope that gives you some pointers.

 

[Dave M]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret.

you know it tells us why it should be done in secrete, I think if we dig a little farther we will actually see that it is to protect us from our pride, It says when we give or pay..... NOT TO BE SEEN BY OTHER,

Matthew 6:5
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

examining the above scripture we see the whole reason these people do what they do is to be seen by others, the heart is not in the right place. Yet we know that Jesus himself prayed in public, and that there are many many examples all through the bible about people praying in public. Yet how are we to let the are light shine before the world if everything we do is in secrete?? the bible also says We also know that in the books of acts everyone was selling there possessions for the sake of helping other and laying the money at the apostles feet, so this was not done in secrete, yet we know that everyone heart was in the right place,,,,,, except the couple that lied,,, and we know what happened to them.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

so here we have the bible saying we should let others see our good works, I have been torn between these scriptures for years, I mean if we are to do all are good works in secrete, does that mean my CPA is not to see my giving statement?? Does that mean I should not pray for people on the street when they ask for prayers. When I give it not to try to impress my cpa so I think its ok for her to see my giving, when I pray for people its because I love Jesus and want to help people, its not to impress anyone.

One of the biggest influences in my spiritual life was a man who shared his giving habits with me, (via his book) I can assure you his heart is in the right place, and had a great influence in a positive way,,, was he wrong to do that,, will he loose his reward, I dont think so, on the other hand I dont share my giving with almost anyone, as I dont trust myself or my pride. But I pray for people on the street,,, and share that with my friends, to try to help encourage them to do the same.

We know all the prayer warriors in a church, but we never here about the giving warriors, we need examples in real life to help encourage us. But we need to check our hearts and see WHY we are sharing. If we give and then post it all over face book, I think it safe to say you have your reward. But if we give and we share it with people for the sake of encouragement for them.. is that wrong???


there are no secretes from God, as I am sure you know

Luke 8:17
For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.


not sure what you have in your heart, but I would go to God in prayer and fasting and seek the answer, you may not like what you find, but if you follow his directions I can assure you the burden that is being laid on your shoulders will be lifted

 

[Sue D.]

Take a look at 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares / anxieties on Him because He cares for us. And there is Phillippians 4: 6 and 7 " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication , with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." As well as the next two verses.

 

[Sue D.]

God already knows whatś on our minds -- whatś in our hearts. He wants us to tell Him about it -- be honest with God and ask forgiveness as needed.

 

[ConfusedSally]

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Trevor]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret. It is also very clear about keeping other's secrets and coming to them before others when those secrets include things that go against the walk of a believer laid out in scripture. I am a believer and I actually have a degree in Bibilical studies so I have dove deep in trying to find answer for myself but honestly feel at a loss with what I have found.

Scripture is not clear about secrets in your own life. This is my question. I have a secret, no a small secret but one that is large in my life. But my secret involves others too. I don't like my secret, I feel hypocritical because I believe in honesty etc as a whole but to tell my truth means I force 3 others secrets out as well. This is where i don't know what is morally right to do? I have asked advice from two of my closest friends who are both strong believers but honestly their answers couldn't have been more different, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Which honestly this might end up the same way. I keep reading scripture and praying and I come to the same place: I do not like my secret and feel hypocritical keeping it, which makes me feel like it would be best to right this BUT scripture is also very clear about keeping other secrets so I don't feel clean to just come out with it. No, there is no way to speak my truth without it being others secret coming out too.

Hi Sally, there is one who knows your secret and he's the one to talk to about it. He lives within you. Don't break a confidence, but seek in scripture the morality of the situation, and discuss it with those whose confidences you hold. Maybe they need to hear the truth from you.

 

[Sue D.]

@ ConfusedSally -- maybe what you're referring to is relationships within the local church body. That if there is a concern a believer has regarding another believer -- to approach that person privately and in a caring , loving way regarding whatever it is that you've observed them doing -- Why they are doing 'whatever' and that it could affect them and others in the church in a negative way. But don't be approaching in a judgemental way. and , hopefully, that conversation will bring about their seeing their need to make changes. Or at least a better understanding between the two people. HOWEVER -- if the person Isn't wanting to listen and keeps right on doing 'whatever' -- then it would be wise to talk with maybe their adult S.S. teacher or maybe the pastor - again - privately -- in the same concerned, loving manner concerning the other person. And let the pastor be aware of your concern and follow the pastors' suggestion. Again, Hopefully, the person's attitude and their actions would be adjusted as would be deemed necessary for their sake and the sake of the others in the church. All of 'this' is part of discipleship of believers and potentially the necessity for church discipline.

You talk about a secret that you have -- that's not small and it involves others as well. And that you don't like that secret. Well -- from some past experience -- no one lives in a 'bubble' -- what You feel is a real secret probably isn't to others. And since you've already shared it with a couple of your friends and have different responses from both of them. The 'secret' is already known by those two people. It's Possible that you are making the proverbial mountain out of a mole hill. It's showing that you have a tender conscience towards sinning which is good. But -- it's Best to take it to God - 1st and , then, Maybe it's not something that Needs to be cleared up with others. If you've observed someone's boyfriend or girlfriend being maybe Too friendly with someone else -- it would potentially hurt your relationship with them and damage their relationship with their bf/ g/f -- or husband / wife. And sometimes people need to work through their own relationship situation themselves. And, chances are, you don't know the entire situation. And, sometimes we simply find ourselves in situations that Are uncomfortable. We have the choice of changing our Own circumstances so we're not around the discomfort any more.

 

[Bill]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret. It is also very clear about keeping other's secrets and coming to them before others when those secrets include things that go against the walk of a believer laid out in scripture. I am a believer and I actually have a degree in Bibilical studies so I have dove deep in trying to find answer for myself but honestly feel at a loss with what I have found.

Scripture is not clear about secrets in your own life. This is my question. I have a secret, no a small secret but one that is large in my life. But my secret involves others too. I don't like my secret, I feel hypocritical because I believe in honesty etc as a whole but to tell my truth means I force 3 others secrets out as well. This is where i don't know what is morally right to do? I have asked advice from two of my closest friends who are both strong believers but honestly their answers couldn't have been more different, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Which honestly this might end up the same way. I keep reading scripture and praying and I come to the same place: I do not like my secret and feel hypocritical keeping it, which makes me feel like it would be best to right this BUT scripture is also very clear about keeping other secrets so I don't feel clean to just come out with it. No, there is no way to speak my truth without it being others secret coming out too.

There are some things that God requires of us to keep to ourselves . It isn't they are not " of God " but for the sake of others , Christians , there is a limit to what can be shared .

As God teaches us though the Scripture , those who eat meat need to respect the limits of veggie eaters .

Now it sounds a prideful statement , but there is a limit to what most Christians can accept . Is it because they lack faith , YES and NO . It is because teachers for many years have changed the " Faith " based Christians to " Confermation " based .

We have all heard this phrase , "" if it isn't in the Scripture , then it isn't from God "" Yet the Apostles point out that NOT ALL Jesus said and did was written down . And even Jesus Himself states that others will come doing even greater miracles than He has done .

What both the Apostles and Jesus try to say , there are miricles and experiences yet to come that all all in God

 

[Sue D.]

Or you Could take all your cares and concerned to God in prayer and He will help you deall with everything.

 

[PloughBoy]

A "child of God" must have the Word of GOD dwelling richly in them and not the words of a man or woman dweling rich in them. For this is a commandment of GOD the Father. By being full, your cup runs over. You hear the Words plainly in time of need. You do not need to thumb through the pages, that is why we study. We do not study to teach "People" we study hard and dwell in His truths and meditate there to grow closer to HIM and to kmow more about Him and our ownselves. Then He does the rest.

How come these words did not come to mind in you:

American King James Version
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Read the Book;

How Come One of The Songs of David, did not come into your mind. And that Song is "The 19. Divisions of Psalm"!

If The Word of GOD is in You, It Will Come To You In Time Of Need! It will Not Fell You! And you do not have to Remember it! Why, Because Jesus has made sure of that! And He does not Lie!

I will send you a "Paraclete" and He will walk beside you and also Remind you of everything I has said to you. And He will NEVER leave you!

Stop reading these short verses of the BIBLE, and start reading the BOOK like it should be done! You will not have to keep running to these people who are only drawing you unto themselves as if they are sent from GOD!

But many of these FAlse teachers will not Tell you about the office of The "Paraclete" and will never bring up this Office of "The Holy Spirit" The only thing comes out of their "finite mind is The 9 fruits of the Spirit and are you excercising them? And they will not take into account what they are really saying, and when you try to enlighten of what they are reading, Their horns start growing and they begin to start puffing smoke. and Stomping their feet!

And Child of God; Keep your "Secrets' to yourself, and Go into your own closet and SHut The DOOR. And tell GOD! There are still a lot of "Judas's hanging around this bunch and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, that will cause you harm! Trust No MAN or Woman! GOD does not need any help from a creature to come to your rescue. " There are all kinds of Wolves in this neigborhood and you are in the mist"

5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. [these people are in the church]

9So then, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.b’
14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Please take Note: This Prayer is not for everyone to pray! He has given this special prayer to us! and Not the "World"! And it was not given to a people, just because they believe that Jesus is the Son Of God, it takes a lot more than that!

Now most men keep quiet, and most women keep quiet about everything BUT You! And when they get through, they know more about you, than You Do!
And who can "stop That mouth"!

I hope you can read. keep your mouth close! and repent and confess to GOD! and act like it! And if it comes to light "OWN up to it"! Then you will not have to live in LIES! and Only pain. instead of pain and Lies.


(Luke 12).
2But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 3Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

 

[Bill]

A "child of God" must have the Word of GOD dwelling richly in them and not the words of a man or woman dweling rich in them. For this is a commandment of GOD the Father. By being full, your cup runs over. You hear the Words plainly in time of need. You do not need to thumb through the pages, that is why we study. We do not study to teach "People" we study hard and dwell in His truths and meditate there to grow closer to HIM and to kmow more about Him and our ownselves. Then He does the rest.

How come these words did not come to mind in you:

American King James Version
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Read the Book;

How Come One of The Songs of David, did not come into your mind. And that Song is "The 19. Divisions of Psalm"!

If The Word of GOD is in You, It Will Come To You In Time Of Need! It will Not Fell You! And you do not have to Remember it! Why, Because Jesus has made sure of that! And He does not Lie!

I will send you a "Paraclete" and He will walk beside you and also Remind you of everything I has said to you. And He will NEVER leave you!

Stop reading these short verses of the BIBLE, and start reading the BOOK like it should be done! You will not have to keep running to these people who are only drawing you unto themselves as if they are sent from GOD!

But many of these FAlse teachers will not Tell you about the office of The "Paraclete" and will never bring up this Office of "The Holy Spirit" The only thing comes out of their "finite mind is The 9 fruits of the Spirit and are you excercising them? And they will not take into account what they are really saying, and when you try to enlighten of what they are reading, Their horns start growing and they begin to start puffing smoke. and Stomping their feet!

And Child of God; Keep your "Secrets' to yourself, and Go into your own closet and SHut The DOOR. And tell GOD! There are still a lot of "Judas's hanging around this bunch and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, that will cause you harm! Trust No MAN or Woman! GOD does not need any help from a creature to come to your rescue. " There are all kinds of Wolves in this neigborhood and you are in the mist"

5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. [these people are in the church]

9So then, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.b’
14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Please take Note: This Prayer is not for everyone to pray! He has given this special prayer to us! and Not the "World"! And it was not given to a people, just because they believe that Jesus is the Son Of God, it takes a lot more than that!

Now most men keep quiet, and most women keep quiet about everything BUT You! And when they get through, they know more about you, than You Do!
And who can "stop That mouth"!

I hope you can read. keep your mouth close! and repent and confess to GOD! and act like it! And if it comes to light "OWN up to it"! Then you will not have to live in LIES! and Only pain. instead of pain and Lies.


(Luke 12).
2But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 3Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

"" a Child of God must have the Word of God dwelling richly in them ""

Your statement was inspired by the Holy Spirit

God's love to you always brother

 

[SheepMary]

What has Jesus told you to do about it?

 

[Trevor]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret. It is also very clear about keeping other's secrets and coming to them before others when those secrets include things that go against the walk of a believer laid out in scripture. I am a believer and I actually have a degree in Bibilical studies so I have dove deep in trying to find answer for myself but honestly feel at a loss with what I have found.

Scripture is not clear about secrets in your own life. This is my question. I have a secret, no a small secret but one that is large in my life. But my secret involves others too. I don't like my secret, I feel hypocritical because I believe in honesty etc as a whole but to tell my truth means I force 3 others secrets out as well. This is where i don't know what is morally right to do? I have asked advice from two of my closest friends who are both strong believers but honestly their answers couldn't have been more different, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Which honestly this might end up the same way. I keep reading scripture and praying and I come to the same place: I do not like my secret and feel hypocritical keeping it, which makes me feel like it would be best to right this BUT scripture is also very clear about keeping other secrets so I don't feel clean to just come out with it. No, there is no way to speak my truth without it being others secret coming out too.

We all have sin in our lives, anyone saying they haven't are a liars. The wages of sin is death, when I came to the Lord I had mountains of sin in my life. I read, "confess your sins to one another and I will heal you." I did this, and was ostracised and had to leave the church because the gentle Methodists were shocked, they were lovely people and I truly loved them, but they were country folk, farmers and their families, people who lived differently, to a street musician who had survived the street life in London. We should never judge, that is God's domain, and if we become privy to secrets of our brethren, we should leave God to deal with them we should love them. We are called to love our enemies and do good to those who do spitefully use us, so we should have mercy on those more burdened that ourselves, especially if we know that to share another's burden would bring harm on their standing in the church. God calls sinners to repent, not to us, but to him. Allow them the chance to do that because if you share their secrets and that drives them away from God, then you may be called to answer for their loss. To be a Christian inevitably brings us in contact with some who have desperate pasts. If however, their actions endanger the community, you should approach them and point out how they are harming the fellowship, if they don't change their ways, then you are called to share what you know to the elders. However if their sin does not affect the believers, leave it to God, he's quite capable of dealing with it. You could pray for them.

 

[Bill]

We all have sin in our lives, anyone saying they haven't are a liars. The wages of sin is death, when I came to the Lord I had mountains of sin in my life. I read, "confess your sins to one another and I will heal you." I did this, and was ostracised and had to leave the church because the gentle Methodists were shocked, they were lovely people and I truly loved them, but they were country folk, farmers and their families, people who lived differently, to a street musician who had survived the street life in London. We should never judge, that is God's domain, and if we become privy to secrets of our brethren, we should leave God to deal with them we should love them. We are called to love our enemies and do good to those who do spitefully use us, so we should have mercy on those more burdened that ourselves, especially if we know that to share another's burden would bring harm on their standing in the church. God calls sinners to repent, not to us, but to him. Allow them the chance to do that because if you share their secrets and that drives them away from God, then you may be called to answer for their loss. To be a Christian inevitably brings us in contact with some who have desperate pasts. If however, their actions endanger the community, you should approach them and point out how they are harming the fellowship, if they don't change their ways, then you are called to share what you know to the elders. However if their sin does not affect the believers, leave it to God, he's quite capable of dealing with it. You could pray for them.

I am a minister of the Lord . Over the years I've had many people come to me and tell me of their sins of their struggles and Desiring to know God . I take this position that the Lord has given to me very seriously, and all of you have shared with me their experiences I only share them with God .

I never place a judgement on what I hear because I know that all things are possible in God .

To those the Lord brings into my life I share the scripture with and I listen to them . Quite often I see the Spirit moving around them and sometimes in them I see the Presence of the Father, God's love envelop those who ask for forgiveness .

Hearing your words I was really saddened by the fact that the church could not accept you for who you were . They could not see the forgiveness that God was giving you at that moment . And it is sad to see because they themselves need to received God's forgiveness as well.

Maybe someday you'll go back there and teach them this and you will become a witness to what their confessions are

God's peace to brother

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

Scripture is very clear about prayer and giving being good things to keep secret. It is also very clear about keeping other's secrets and coming to them before others when those secrets include things that go against the walk of a believer laid out in scripture. I am a believer and I actually have a degree in Bibilical studies so I have dove deep in trying to find answer for myself but honestly feel at a loss with what I have found.

Scripture is not clear about secrets in your own life. This is my question. I have a secret, no a small secret but one that is large in my life. But my secret involves others too. I don't like my secret, I feel hypocritical because I believe in honesty etc as a whole but to tell my truth means I force 3 others secrets out as well. This is where i don't know what is morally right to do? I have asked advice from two of my closest friends who are both strong believers but honestly their answers couldn't have been more different, leaving me even more confused than I was before. Which honestly this might end up the same way. I keep reading scripture and praying and I come to the same place: I do not like my secret and feel hypocritical keeping it, which makes me feel like it would be best to right this BUT scripture is also very clear about keeping other secrets so I don't feel clean to just come out with it. No, there is no way to speak my truth without it being others secret coming out too.

Sally, why would you even want to openlly spew your secrets to everyone around you?

 

[Sue D.]

@Confused Sally -- chances are that a secret that big in your life that affects other people isn't really as much a secret as you think it is. Talk to God about it -- confess it to Him and forgive yourself.

And Sometimes -- sharing that secret that affects Others -- Can be an attempt to 'get even' with some other people. Sometimes "when in doubt, don't " applies.

Complete honesty can be destructive. And it can Also be liberating. If a person is involved in a small group and feels led to 'share all' of his past -- he said it was very liberating for him. But sometimes that can Also make a person feel uncomfortable as a result. Because Now, other people Know.