Would you be comfortable in the presence of someone who could read your mind? Some of us go to great lengths to make, what we hope would be, a good impression on others. Some businesses even employ people, whose sole responsibility is to keep a good image of the company before the eyes of the public, and, if for any reason the company is caught doing something illegal or has produced a product that has hurt the public or the environment, these public relations employees try to turn the negative publicity into something positive or at least something less damaging to their company’s image.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19-20 KJV)
It is difficult to admit error, isn’t it? How much more difficult would it be, if we knew someone who was able to read our minds? David once wrote: “Oh Lord you have searched me, and have known me… there is not a word on my tongue that you, oh Lord, don’t know altogether” (Psalm 139:1, 4). God knows our thoughts. Even if we never express them in words, God knows what we think. We may be able to hide the intents of our hearts from other people, but God is able to pierce the darkest of our secrets, and they are all exposed to his sight (Psalm 139:12).
Most people are uncomfortable with the prospect that their thoughts are not hidden from God, but the woman at the well found comfort in the idea that Jesus knew her for who she really was. Yet, he didn’t judge her. Rather he accepted her whole being—what she was comfortable letting others see, and the ugly truth she had trouble concealing. She found no reason to fear Jesus’ intrusion into her secret affairs. Rather than fear, she found comfort, even joy, not unlike that which one finds in the correct diagnosis of a physician for a troublesome and threatening ailment. Admitting to one’s darkest secrets, is necessary for wholeness and healing. Avoiding the all-seeing-eye of God, only delays the cure of one’s ills—in our case, the healing of our sinful condition.
Paul tells us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God doesn’t tell us to straighten out our lives before our coming to him. He has saved us, before we had the ability to come to him—while we were yet sinners and enemies of God (Romans 5:8, 10). Consider the woman at the well. She believed Jesus, yet, because of her, many of the Samaritans in the city believed and were saved (John 4:28-29, 39-42).
Fear of being found out is one of the consequences of the fall. When Adam and Eve heard the Word of God (Jesus) walking toward them, they hid (Genesis 3:8). Why did they hide? They hid for the same reason we hide our secret affairs, namely, because they had done evil, and they didn’t want their deed to be discovered (cp. John 3:19).
Nevertheless, the woman, who had been trying to hide for most of her adult life, found the Light of Jesus refreshing, when she realized all her sins were exposed to his sight. Why is that? Why do we avoid the Light of God on the one hand, but we rejoice in the same Light, once we’ve notice we’ve been discovered? Isn’t it because we’ve suddenly realized Jesus doesn’t act like we expect? There is no condemnation for those who come into the Light of God. Admitting our failures/sins, is the first step we can take to be healed of guilt, fear and despair. God knows our thoughts anyway, so it makes good sense to end our hiding, come into the Light of God and enjoy the peace of being reconciled to Him. Wouldn’t you say this is a good thing? Reconciliation removes all the barriers. Peace and freedom rejoice in Jesus—the Presence of God.
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4 responses to “How Secret are our Thoughts?”
This reminds me of a time a few years ago. I had used a “numbers game” to show I could read minds in presenting the gospel message to children. This young lass was convinced I could read minds and was fearful – (even though I had explained it was a matter of maths, using the game to introduce One who CAN read minds).
I counselled her after the meeting and she found great relief when her mind was laid open and she gained victory through her Saviour.
Greetings, I missed hearing from you. Yes, the mind is a precious gift, and I understand the fear of the young girl–thinking you could see into her mind. Yet, we have unspeakable joy when we really understand that Jesus can read our thoughts. We seem comfortable with him knowing all we are. Only God/Jesus is trustworthy enough to have our minds in his hands. Only he is not abusive. Your story reminds me of an incident in my own life that I share only with a little reluctance, because I know it can cause friendships to cease. I wrote a blog-post awhile back concerning how false doctrine gets control of our minds so we cannot see the truth. It is called “The Overwhelming Power of False Doctrine” if you care to read it. Lord bless.
(Good to know I was missed. I have had a couple of VERY heavy projects which have been time consuming but worthwhile – one not quite finished)
I’ve just read The Overwhelming Power of False Doctrine and have bookmarked it for another more in-depth read when I finish this other project.
I most certainly agree about not discussing doctrine apart from the Scriptures. Too many people want to discuss the experience of Joe Blow instead of what the Scriptures say. There is only one standard and we cannot look outside of that.
Thank you for saying you intend to see what the Scriptures say. Most people rely upon what they have always been taught. I did that once years ago and found later I was involved in an organization headed by a false prophet. It was difficult finding a church that believed I was a Christian after that. I decided that if I would attend church again I would never permit anyone to tell me what to believe. I’ll discuss anything with anyone and respectfully consider what others say, but I made a vow to the Lord that only he rules my faith. I would never again permit a man to occupy that seat in my heart. That said, I would love to know what you conclude from the Scriptures concerning what you read in my blog. :-)