Sinful Cover-ups Exposed

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-19

I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me.        (Jeremiah 16:17 NLT)

The infamous Watergate scandal, Hitler’s secret death chambers, and the Benghazi terrorist attacks are examples of man’s propensity to avoid the truth. Political entities will use ingenious schemes to prevent the truth from becoming known. The attempts to cover-up acts of sin and misdeeds are not just limited to governments and political figures, but span a wide range of human actions and behaviors. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with similar attempts to cover-up one’s sin.

     Adam and Eve committed the sin of disobedience and when they discovered they were naked (one of the results of their actions) they endeavored to cover-up the fact with fig leaves and hid from God in the garden. Cain murdered his brother Abel and tried to cover it up by hiding his remains. Moses killed an Egyptian who was harassing a fellow Jew and hid his sin by burying the body in the sand. David killed Uriah to cover-up his sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Peter attempted to cover-up his relationship with Jesus by swearing and cursing in the courtyard. Ananias and his wife Sapphira attempted to cover-up the truth by a deceitful scheme involving some property they had sold.

     Covering up sin by attempting to hide it from God always brings severe consequences. The Bible says, “But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23 NLT)

     Watergate resulted in Richard Nixon’s humiliating resignation as President of the United States. In like manner, Adam and Eve’s sin was exposed and they were thrown out of the garden, Cain’s sin was exposed by God, and a curse placed on his life. Moses had to flee from Egypt because his sin was found out. David suffered the loss of his son born to Bathsheba. Peter left the courtyard weeping bitterly. Ananias and Sapphira both dropped dead at the feet of the apostles.

     What significant lesson can we learn from these examples of sinful cover-ups exposed? When the Holy Spirit reveals sin, we should go immediately to the Lord in prayer and confession. Confession brings cleansing and forgiveness. David understood this when he said, “Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2).

     We can live a purified life by acknowledging our sin and taking it to the Lord in prayerful confession.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me the courage to acknowledge my sin and confess it openly to you.