There’s a sign near the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii that reads “BEWARE OF INVISIBLE COWS”. No joke. And they couldn’t be more serious. This very tall mountain is filled with open cattle ranges. Sometimes at night or even during the day when the fog is thick, which is very common at that elevation, dark colored cows cross the road and vehicles don’t see them until they hit them. BAM! Like a brick wall. It’s very dangerous. So the good state of Hawaii felt a warning was in order: BEWARE OF INVISIBLE COWS.
Sometimes I feel like I need a warning sign in my life: “Beware of Invisible Sin”. Ya know those sins that creep up on you and you don’t even realize they’re there? Until BAM! Sins like: pride, jealousy, negativity, gossip…
Or what about those sins that we intentionally hide? Those secret sins that no one knows about but us? (And God of course.) Maybe it’s an addiction… pornography, alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Or maybe it’s more along the lines of greed, adultery, or manipulation. Sins that seem hidden until the headlights hit them, so to speak.
A wise friend once told me, “If you have to lie about it, you ought not be doing it in the first place.” That’s good advice. As the old saying goes, we’re only as sick as our secrets. So it’s important to recognize those secret sins in our lives and bring them to light.
Luke 8:17 (NLT) says, “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.”
If that verse makes you a bit nervous, you might need to reevaluate some things in your life. Check your blind spots and face them head on.
How do you do that?
- Pray. Ask God to reveal to you any sins that have become invisible to you and to give you the strength to face them and to overcome them. A good start would be to pray as King David prayed:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(Psalm 139:23-24)
- Confess your sin to God. Admit it. Come into agreement with God that your sin is sin. As John said in 1 John 1:8-9
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Confess your sin to a trusted, Christian friend or counselor. Give them permission to hold you accountable as you work to overcome that sin in your life. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
- Turn from your sins. Commit to doing your very best to overcome the sin in your life. It won’t be easy, but remember Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
With His help, you CAN do it! Start today.
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