How you can avoid a secretly sinful life

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:6

Every year in Basel, Switzerland, the churchgoing townspeople have a festival in which they all don masks and go through the city doing things they would never do under normal circumstances. They are emboldened to do these things anonymously because of the masks they wear.

One year, as the townspeople went about their drunkenness and debauchery, they did so while reading signs that had been put out the night before by the Salvation Army. The signs read, “God sees behind the mask.”

It’s when we think no one is watching that our true allegiances are revealed. In the quietness of our alone time, we’re either exposed as people who are seeking the things of God, or we’re exposed as people who are seeking the things of the world. That’s because God knows our hearts and sees everything we do.

God sees behind the mask. Don’t expose your faith as fraudulent under the condition of anonymity. When you’re alone and it’s only you and God, let your faith be proven true. Give what’s done in secret over to God and your Father who sees what’s done in secret will reward you!

Prayer Challenge

Pray now and give your secret life over to God. Ask Him to sanctify the thoughts and actions you have when it seems no one is watching.

Questions for Thought

Why do you think it’s so easy for many people to live a secretly sinful life honoring God around others but disobeying when they’re alone?

How might your life look differently if you completely gave your alone time over to God?