Job 31:33-34
if I have concealed my transgressions as others do
by hiding my iniquity in my heart,
because I stood in great fear of the multitude,
and the contempt of families terrified me,
so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors—
Tag: The Pain of Hidden Sin
In chapter 31, Job is closing out his words of defense. His three friends have concluded that the only reason Job is suffering is because of apparent sin in his life. Yet, Job goes through a series of “if I have done this” than “let this be done to me” scenarios. All of which Job is flatly disavowing. The above “if” disavows the aspect of hiding some secret sin in his life. Job shows the consequences of hiding a secret sin in one’s life. He shows that the impact is that we have a “fear of the multitude.” How many today hide their sins and refuse to “come clean” because they have a fear of man? James 5:16 tells us to “confess our faults one to another that we might be healed.” Imagine the relief it would be if we could practice James’ command in our churches. But, we don’t openly confess the struggles of our lives because we are fear of the judgment of the masses. In the above passage Job states that hidden sin can prevent someone from interacting with others ... they seclude themselves they are so fearful of man’s judgement. Yet, it is God’s judgement we should be concerned about. If I confess it to God and He forgives me, why would I worry about man knowing my sin and failings? God has restored me. Man can not and should not have power over me to destroy me. Yet, that is what Job is stating. Again, Job is disavowing this thought, but the truth stands clear: Hiding sin in my life has a consequence that isolates and hinders my interaction with others. It is a consequence of sin we know in our heart. Politicians are often caught in public sin and their first response is to deny. Yet, they eventually “come clean.” They deny because they “fear the multitude.” Hidden sin has many dangers. Confessing sin restores relationships.
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