p. 724 | SECRET SINS by Elder J. H. Durland

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 25, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 46.

SECRET SINS.

By Elder J. H. Durland

BY ELDER J. H. DURLAND.

THE public life may be free from sin which incurs the disapprobation of men, while the heart is the seat of some unholy affection or passion, that is abhorrent to the pure mind of Him who sees every action and knows every thought. A sin hidden in the chambers of the soul, and coming out in secret ways, is more dangerous to the Christian, and less likely to be overcome, than that which is visible and recognized by others; an unseen disease of the body may be less cared for than one which is known to the public, though the latter may be less serious in its nature than the former.

Bosom sin is very deceiving. It blinds the mind to a perception of its exceeding sinfulness. It makes excuses and apologies for its continuance. It assumes weakness and non-importance as a means of obtaining indulgence. It weeps, it promises, it resolves, it crouches beneath correcting power, but it only uses this means to throw dust in the eyes of man, while it gathers strength for renewed action. Hence, when the opportunity again occurs, and all things favor, it comes out of its hiding place with increased energy. Thus it goes on in its career, deceiving the soul, until, perhaps, it has obtained such ascendancy and arrayed itself in such appearance that he regards it as a simple failing which cannot be avoided, and from which the mercy of God will deliver him before he dies. The sin now dwells in him with a bribed patronage of his knowledge, his conscience, his religion. He may be a nominal Christian, an officer in the church, a man of public benefit, against whom no one dare bring an accusation. But there reigns the sin in secret majesty, fortifying itself in its dominion, and destroying in the same proportion any strength of goodness and usefulness which he might possess. In this way the sin gathers power and boldness, until, perhaps, by some mysterious influence the cause of his declining usefulness is first suspected and then divulged; he falls from his religious position. Now the monster, unrestrained by church and social authority, leaps from his hiding place and is no longer a secret sin, known only to the man himself, but a sin known to multitudes.

"All unrighteousness is sin." It matters not whether it is the unrighteous act of the professor, or the non-professor. It may be hidden forever from the eyes of man, yet it is sin. "The thought of foolishness is sin." It is not necessary that it be some act done in the dark, but it may be the thought hidden in the mind. It may be so safely kept that it may never reach the mind of another, but it has been recorded in the books of heaven.

Like the cancer beneath the surface, secret sin is constantly preying on the vitals of the professed Christian. It may be a long time coming to the surface, yet it will be revealed to the world sometime; if not before, it will be seen when the Judge of all the earth sits on the great white throne. The only way it may be covered from the sight of all the earth is by confessing it to God, and forsaking it.

"Blessed is the man whose sin is covered." Reader, have you a secret sin that is eating its way to the surface? that is eating out the spiritual life? Whatever it is, small or great, give it no favor. Listen not to its subterfuges. It is your disease and will be your death if not removed. Cry mightily to God for help. He can remove the leprosy that is in your system and make you clean. Every time that you go to the Lord, bring it out and expose it to him in humble confession. He will bid it come forth that you may be every whit whole.

Satan would get you to confess it to some individual first. He would like you to go to man for help. But put not your trust in man, for all mankind have sinned, and are thereby not able to save themselves. "Confess your secret sins alone before your God. Acknowledge your heart wanderings to him who knows perfectly how to treat your case."—Testimony 33. There may be sins that should be confessed to those we have wronged, but this is a secondary matter. We know not how to confess to our fellow-man until we have first gone to the Lord. We know not to whom we should confess until the Lord directs our minds. Go to the Lord first. Tell him all about it and he will make the path plain. Prov 3: 6; Ps. 32: 8. David acknowledged his sin unto the Lord, and there received forgiveness. 2 Sam. 12: 12, 13. So we may

open the door and take the Lord through every secret chamber of the heart and tell him all about the bosom sins abiding there, and ask him to drive them all out with his scourge, and fill every chamber with himself. When he abides there, Satan cannot enter. Let Christ in and bid all secret sins depart.

"Yes, I'll open this proud heart's door, Yes, I'll let him in. Gladly I'll welcome him evermore; Oh, yes, I'll let him in! Blessed Saviour, abide with me, Cares and trials will lighter be; I am safe if I'm only with thee, O blessed Lord, come in!"