What’s Hiding in Your House?

Devotional for October 28, 2010

Do you ever hide things? Not things like Christmas presents or Easter eggs, but things like: laundry, fast food wrappers, dishes, papers, empty Starbuck’s cups, magazines, shoes or clothes? I have a brother who ‘hid’ things under his bed. When my mother ran out of dishes she knew from experience right where to go. I have a son who ‘hides’ things in drawers. Imagine my surprise when I first discovered an empty soda can in one drawer and a bowl and spoon in another.

Perhaps you’re more like my daughter. She stacks up dirty dishes in her room so neat and orderly that at first glance I think they’re desk supplies. It’s impressive how many dishes she can ‘hide’ that way. I do the same thing. I know I need to clean out my closet; instead I refold a stack of one thing, to make room for a few more other things. I hide what I need to remove by making it look like it belongs. I do this with books, papers, Christmas decorations, gift bags, cooking gadgets and more. I’m actually creatively hiding (and hoarding) by making more things fit in the same space.


In “Lies Women Believe,” author Nancy DeMoss teaches Christian women how to be set free by discovering what God’s Word has to say about things like “I’m not worth anything” and “God can’t forgive what I’ve done” and “God doesn’t love me.” The process of recognizing and identifying the lie is not an easy one.


For example, we all know that deception/lying is a sin. But in an attempt to smooth over someone’s feelings, have you ever told a half truth? Have you ever told a little white lie to avoid having to say no, or to get out of something you didn’t want to do? See what I mean? What’s the difference between lying and little white lies? If you say intent, then children will rally around you as a hero, since they just ‘intend’ to get out of trouble!


I’ll admit that my daughter got her stashing technique from me. So I’m asking God to show me what I might be hiding. Have I allowed a bad habit (like eating junk food), a weakness (like not getting any exercise at all), or even a sin (like lust, lying, or judging) to waltz into my life? Even if it snuck in, did I, in my attempt to keep my life in order, just slide this unpleasantness between a few good books? Did I justify it as normal and acceptable? Did I hesitate for a moment but then shrug my shoulders because I can’t help the way I am? Besides, it’s not hurting anyone, right?


In Mark 12:1b-5:But Jesus' primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.


"I'm speaking to you as dear friends. Don't be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands. (MSG)


Jesus makes it clear that when we live with any lie it’s only a matter of time until it’s revealed. I don’t want to be exposed and mortified by others. So, I am choosing to ask God to show me what’s hidden in my house and in my life that doesn’t belong there.


1 John 1:8:

If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. (MSG)


The process of asking God to help us identify our sins is not a weakness. It’s a sign of wisdom when we recognize that there’s no way we are perfect and it’s possible we are blind to something that is hiding in plain sight.


Written by Mary M. Wilkins