Secrets

Pastor Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor

We hear the word secret, and our first instinct is to have negative thoughts. We think of people whispering behind closed door or gossiping about others. Or we think of the person who is wound up tight and doesn’t open up to anyone. But keeping things secret isn’t always bad. There are times when it is good to not share things with others. If a close friend pours out her heart to you, they are trusting that you will keep it in closest confidence. If you are seeing a counselor, you hope that he doesn’t use your session to promote his business or advertise online! Sometimes the Bible even tells us to keep things secret!

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 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. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:2-8)

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

Jesus says when you give, when you pray, and when you fast do it in secret and don’t let others see or know what you are doing. I won’t even get into the concept of fasting which Jesus assumes believers will do along with giving and praying. My point is a little bit different although that is a topic worthy of discussion another time. We don’t like to admit it but for many of us we worry about what others think of us and we want to be thought well of by them. Our culture even has a word to describe one subtle form of this called, “humblebrag.” The word can be used as a noun or a verb. The noun means, “an ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud.” It is something that sounds humble or modest but subtly drops a hint so you will think better of the person.

“I think I saw you at the park when I was driving home from helping at the homeless shelter.” Rather than, “I think I saw you at the park when I was driving home last night.” How about, “I’ll give you a call tomorrow morning after I finish my Bible reading and prayer time.” Instead of, “I’ll call you tomorrow morning when I’m free.” The problem is, within the church this can be so subtle and so common. With kids this can be obvious. With adults, especially in the church, it can be extremely subtle. How do we counteract this? I think the text is clear, do everything you can to not be seen by men. If you are tempted to put yourself in a good light by noticing an accomplishment, pause and rethink how to say it without drawing attention to yourself. It is counter-intuitive to intentionally deflect attention from our accomplishments, but like John the Baptist we can say, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)