Nothing Is Hidden From God
We behave differently when we know people are watching.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and isn’t it true? We bite our tongues; we hold our tempers; we help meet a need or say the encouraging word, and even pray more circumspectly when we know that others are either listening or watching us. And many more are watching us than we think. Not just your friends or your neighbors, your co-workers, family. Mmm-mmm. Ephesians 3:10 says – get this – that powers and principalities in the heavenly realms are also watching. They’re observing; they’re listening. Angels, and yes even demons, are intensely interested in your attitudes and actions. Why so? Well, they’re anxious to see how God’s great grace plays itself out in our lives. 1 Peter 1:12 says that angels long to look into such things; they are eager to see how it is that God sustains His people when they suffer; when they are tempted. They want to see whether or not grace will work when we face a tough choice, or a moral decision, or must deal with disappointment. And if angels long to look into such things, how much more does the demonic world. They are interested in our actions because they are hoping that we will trip up; that we’ll mess up; they want to see us shame the good name of God by disobeying. They are anxious for us to tarnish the Lord’s reputation with our sin! So, you can see, when you know both this world and the spirit world are watching you – you can see that your talk quickly becomes your walk, doesn’t it?
Best of all, most important of all, the Lord Jesus is watching – and that fact alone is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. Hebrews chapter 4 says that “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” That means that one day I’m going to have to give an account for what I did with the life God’s given me. And that’s something I’m aware of every day in this wheelchair, especially when I’m tempted to complain. I’m aware that God is watching when I’m in public or when I’m with a group of Christians. Will I say things that are self-centered? Will edify others with words of encouragement? What’ll I do?
When I’m tempted to do something stupid – something that would embarrass me terribly if anyone ever found out; when I want to relax or just cruise on my human nature, I’ve gotta remember that I’m surrounded by Christian friends and family. And I recall that angels are cheering me on to obey, and demons are telling me to disobey. All of these things serve as my witnesses, and this fact alone helps inoculate me against doing a lot of reckless stuff. Psalm 19:12 is my prayer, “[Oh, Lord], cleanse me from my hidden faults…Keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me.”
So, friend, when you’re alone, driving in your car, think twice before you blurt out an expletive when another vehicle cuts you off. Think twice when you’re in a hotel room with an array of cable channels at your fingertips. Instead run to Romans chapter 13 where we’re told to “…lay aside the deeds of darkness … [and] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime.” You know, this is a tough topic, and I would love to hear your thoughts, about, you know, what we do, or how we think when no one’s watching. What about giving an account before God. Does that make you uneasy? Do you disagree? Well, let me hear from you, but make sure you support your arguments with Scripture. Tell me what you think on my Facebook page or you can always email me at joniradio.org. Again, joniradio.org. God bless you today and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends.
