In recent months, it seems almost daily another high-profile celebrity or politician is being accused of various misdeeds. The most common accusations of late are those of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to abuse to rape. Some of the stories are truly unthinkable. One of the accused had a secret button under his desk enabling him to lock his female victims in, so they could not escape his unwanted advances and no one could walk in and catch him. It seems this kind of behavior has been going on unchecked for decades in Hollywood and Washington D.C. Apparently this is so common in D.C. that our tax dollars are being pooled to protect politicians from prosecution in these cases; they call it a “slush fund.” Of course, in Hollywood they have their own piles of money to buy silence from victims. Gladly, the gig seems to be coming to an end as victims have become much more willing to push back against such debauchery. Most certainly it is happening on main street as well, but these cases are not as high profile.
Is this real life? How have we come to this place in our society? What drives people to act in this way? Furthermore, what makes them think they can get away with such behavior without any consequences? It would seem some of them are so given to their base desires they do not think logically in those moments. As Paul said of the Gentiles when writing to the church at Ephesus, “…having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Eph. 4:18-19). In short, the desire for pleasure outweighs all other considerations, including the impact on others.
Another clue to the situation is revealed in Psalm 94:7. Speaking of the wicked and their misdeeds, the psalmist quotes the wicked as saying, “The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.” The word translated “understand” literally means “perceive” or “take notice.” The point is, the wicked believe their evil deeds go unnoticed apart from human perception. A once popular rap group released a song many years ago titled It Ain’t A Crime If You Don’t Get Caught. Undoubtedly, many have bought into this thinking. Why else would people continue in these despicable activities? Gladly, they are now learning they cannot get away with it forever.
In reality, everyone is caught the minute they commit the wrong. Several biblical passages emphasize the futility of trying to hide our sins from God. In Psalm 139, we learn that God knows everything about us, and there is no place we could go to escape His presence and vision. This is a blessing to those given to uprightness, but it eliminates the possibility of avoiding detection when committing ungodly deeds. In Hebrews 4:11-13, the writer urges his readers to continue following the Christ to enter God’s promised rest. The danger they faced was becoming rebellious like the Israelites who rebelled in the wilderness (cf. Num. 13-14). They needed to know that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately judge all.
Solomon learned this truth the hard way after he left the pursuit of God’s wisdom and ways for a life of pleasure. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, he concluded the only way to fulfillment in life is in fearing God and keeping His commandments. The truth remains that “God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Knowing there is nowhere to hide should promote an attitude of respect and fear of rebellion. The next time we are tempted to sin thinking no one will know, may we bear these truths in mind. It may well be the difference in eternal life and death. Either way, there truly is nowhere to hide.
Is this real life? How have we come to this place in our society? What drives people to act in this way? Furthermore, what makes them think they can get away with such behavior without any consequences? It would seem some of them are so given to their base desires they do not think logically in those moments. As Paul said of the Gentiles when writing to the church at Ephesus, “…having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Eph. 4:18-19). In short, the desire for pleasure outweighs all other considerations, including the impact on others.
Another clue to the situation is revealed in Psalm 94:7. Speaking of the wicked and their misdeeds, the psalmist quotes the wicked as saying, “The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.” The word translated “understand” literally means “perceive” or “take notice.” The point is, the wicked believe their evil deeds go unnoticed apart from human perception. A once popular rap group released a song many years ago titled It Ain’t A Crime If You Don’t Get Caught. Undoubtedly, many have bought into this thinking. Why else would people continue in these despicable activities? Gladly, they are now learning they cannot get away with it forever.
In reality, everyone is caught the minute they commit the wrong. Several biblical passages emphasize the futility of trying to hide our sins from God. In Psalm 139, we learn that God knows everything about us, and there is no place we could go to escape His presence and vision. This is a blessing to those given to uprightness, but it eliminates the possibility of avoiding detection when committing ungodly deeds. In Hebrews 4:11-13, the writer urges his readers to continue following the Christ to enter God’s promised rest. The danger they faced was becoming rebellious like the Israelites who rebelled in the wilderness (cf. Num. 13-14). They needed to know that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately judge all.
Solomon learned this truth the hard way after he left the pursuit of God’s wisdom and ways for a life of pleasure. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, he concluded the only way to fulfillment in life is in fearing God and keeping His commandments. The truth remains that “God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Knowing there is nowhere to hide should promote an attitude of respect and fear of rebellion. The next time we are tempted to sin thinking no one will know, may we bear these truths in mind. It may well be the difference in eternal life and death. Either way, there truly is nowhere to hide.