“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)When anyone tries to hide, they are trying to be out of the sight of others. Many times people try to hide from reality using various tools to aid in hiding who they really are from others, even from themselves, and lastly from God.

Why do men try to hide? All men started hiding in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8), after Adam (their father) sinned against the Commandment of God (Genesis 2:16-17). So the root of all hiding is “sin.” Sin is overstepping the Law of God; it is transgressing God’s Law (1 John 3:4). The result of Adam’s sin is “death”; spiritual death, which is separation from God; dead in sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 5:12); whereby all men from Adam onward, were and are born into a dead spiritual condition, in which they are ruled by the law of sin and death. They abide in the rule of lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The “flesh” is ruling and reigning in their life.

However, even the lost man, who is dead, has a conscience of right and wrong; and when he sins, he tries to hide from the Light (God). The saved man has a war between his flesh and his enlightened spirit (Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:15-25). When the saved man sins, he tries to hide from God using self-justification, hypocrisy, and compromise.

How do we identify our hiding from others and even God? Paul said, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). When a man does right, he has no need to hide. The very fact that he feels he must hide something from others and from God is proof that something is wrong. When a man follows God’s Word, he has no need to hide from the laws of men or from God (Romans 13:1-7; Exodus 20:1-17).

All seem to understand why criminals hide from the law when they commit murder, theft, rape, etc.; because of the severe punishment for the crime when caught. But when it comes to “minor sins” (so-called), such as adultery, fornication, shop lifting, etc.; men justify their actions. But is it not strange that men hide adultery from their spouse; they even hide their little radar detectors when they intend to break the speed law. When they “pick up” a little item when shopping, they hide it, so the cashier cannot detect it. And this list of “minor sins,” which when men commit them, they hide their deeds, is endless.

When you do anything that you feel you should hide from others, it ought to throw up in your mind a red flag. You should immediately ask yourself, “Am I doing right? Why am I trying to hide my actions?” Anytime you try to hide or disguise your actions, it is time to stop and examine whatever it is, no matter how small a matter.

This hiding process can be mental as well as physical. When men want to justify their actions, many times they have a unique talent to hide it from their own conscience, where the court of right and wrong is carried out. They say, “It is okay, I deserve it. I work hard and I just can’t make ends meet” or “Well, you know, I mean my wife / husband is… and I need some loving attention. God knows I am telling the truth.” Just as Adam did in Genesis 3:12, “… The woman whom thou gavest to be with me…” Adam blamed Eve and said “God, You gave her to me.” Who are you blaming?

However, all of us know by experience that there are great consequences when the laws of God and the laws of men are broken, when your sin is revealed. Plus, you cannot hide sin forever.

The First Question is: What exactly are you hiding today and why? The answer: Only you and God, for the moment, know what you are hiding and why. Are you not tired of hiding and running? There is no rest or peace in hiding your wicked deeds. Leave the shadows of darkness and come out and live in the open. It is here in the open that you can live your life in peace and joy. It is in the open that you will honor God and be blessed beyond all that you could ask or think. It is here in the open that your marriage, your children, and those around you will prosper from your righteous walk before God and man. Ask yourself, “Why do I think I have to hide my actions?” Check your actions according to God’s Word. Paul said, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink…” whatever it is, it must be to the glory (honor) of God. When it is not to His Glory, that is when men try to hide their deeds.

The Second Question to be answered is, “Are you ready to pay the consequences of your sin when caught?” The answer to this second question is: “No, you are not ready.” The problem is you think that your “hiding place” will never be discovered. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

No criminal or sinner against God believes he will ever be exposed and caught. “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).