The Bible is full of wisdom regarding secrets. In it we learn that secrets can both be beneficial and destructive. A secret has the power to preserve, build, destroy and save. In the writings of the Bible, God encourages to use secrets with wisdom, understanding and discernment, as secrets can be powerful tools for both good and evil.
God’s Wisdom
In Proverbs 11:13-14, it says “A gossip betrays a confidence but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” This shows us that it’s wise to keep things a secret, especially when they’re not your own to share. In Matthew 6:3, it talks about keeping things in private and not broadcasting your good deeds to the world. Keeping your good deeds and acts of kindness, as well as our struggles and sadness to ourselves, is much more beneficial than broadcasting it to gain attention. Furthermore, in Ecclesiastes 5:12-13, it says to be careful about making promises or speaking about legal or business matters in an unwise way. Keeping information to yourself, even in a legal sense, is wise.
Good and Evil
God often directs us to use secrets for good. One such example is found in Esther 4–5 where Esther and Mordecai give a secret plan to the King of Persia to secure the salvation of the Jewish people. This hidden plan was used to save God’s people from destruction, ultimately offering salvation.
On the other hand, secrets can also be used for evil. In 1 Corinthians 16:9, it gives us a warning to be on guard and to “be alert” as to how we share information. It warns us that gossip and malicious secrets can be used to harm someone else.
The Power of Healing
A secret also has the power to heal. Jesus tells us in John 5:14 to “stop sinning or something worse may happen to you”. Jesus shows us that by keeping it a secret and not broadcasting what we did wrong, it can help us heal from our sins, and be encouraged and strengthened by the Lord.
The Power of Forgiveness
Keeping secrets has the power to give us the strength to forgive and reconcile. When we hide the truth and keep what is between us and God a secret, we are encouraged to forgive, mend relationships, and find healing. This secret can be powerful in fostering relationships and reconciliation. For example, Jesus tells his Apostles in Matthew 18:18 to forgive their brother seventy times seven times. Keeping everything confidential, can also help us honour our relationships by not throwing each other under the bus and by remaining silent.
The Power of Confidence
In James 5:12, it tells us to not let any “unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.” Keeping secrets gives us the power to remain confident and trustful in the eyes of our peers by not letting out secrets which could be detrimental to our reputation. Keeping secrets can also help us gain trust from the ones who care about us. As James 5:10 tells us to “not grumble against one another.” By not disclosing secrets, we remain good in the eyes of our neighbours and gain trust and increase reputations among peers.
The Power of Humility
In Proverbs 11:2, it says that “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Keeping secrets is an act of humility, but can also be incredibly powerful. By not having the need to boast and brag, secrets can be seen as a sign of humility and strengthens our trust with God and our peers. This can be noticed clearly in Luke 9:26, where it encourages us to “subscribe our secret of faith through acts and deeds”. This encourages us to use our secrets as acts of faith, as we rely on only God and ourselves.
The Power of Shielding
In Psalm 25:14, it tells us that “The Lord is a friend to those who fear him,” and “He reveals the deep and secret things.” By understanding our relationship with the Lord, and keeping our secrets close to him, He can help us form a shield in our hearts, to protect and strengthen us. By keeping things a secret and relying on the Lord and ourselves, we can also be protected from harm by not broadcasting what we’ve done in the past, or our current struggles.
The Power of Self-Discipline
Secrets can help us have greater self-discipline and control. This can be noticed in 2 Corinthians 12:5, where it says “keep your weaknesses a secret, and trust in the Lord.” This encourages us to overcome our challenges, strengthen and improve our characters, remain humble and use the help of God to conquer and overcome our challenges. Furthermore, in Matthew 12:47, Jesus challenges us saying “…how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?” This urges us to use discretion in our conversation, and to be at peace with the Lord’s guidance, understanding and wisdom, so that we may be guided, strengthened, and use our secrets as a shield and as a proactive tool to further strengthen ourselves.
The Power of Obedience
Ultimately, secrets in the Bible can be used as a sign of loyalty and obedience to God. In Exodus 14:14, it says “… the Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” By understanding the Lord’s will, guidance and instruction, it can help us remain loyal to Him, trusting in Him and understanding His wisdom. Keeping our secrets can help us learn this and obey God’s specific commands.
The Power of Morality
In Proverbs 27:5, it states “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” This encourages us to use our secrets with discernment and morality, to choose what is right, not to be malicious, nor disobedient. By understanding God’s love and mercy towards us, He encourages us to use our secrets in such a way to not be unwholesome or malicious.
The Power of Knowledge
In John 5:39, it says “You search the Scriptures… and it is they that give [us] the knowledge of God.” This encourages us to use the wisdom of the scripture to discern whether it is God’s will for us to keep our secrets, or whether it’s wise to share them. By relying on the Lord and His knowledge, we can be guided and learn to grow in our understanding. Secrets can be powerful tools that can shape our lives and lives of others, so trust in God, rely on His wisdom and use secrets which are beneficial and life-giving.
The Power of Accountability
In Luke 12:2-3, Jesus cautions us to “…there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.” This is an encouragement for us to remain accountable for our secrets, to use them wisely and with understanding and discernment. Furthermore, in Proverbs 10:9, it tells us to “whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Ultimately, our secrets will be revealed, even in the most trying of times, so we must remain wary and understanding of the power that lies within a secret.
The Power of Contentment
Finally, in Philippians 4:11-13, it tells us that “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” By understanding the power of God, and believing in His Word, we are given the strength to do all things, and are encouraged to use our secrets as an act of faith and love. By trusting in the Lord and keeping our secrets a secret, we can experience divine contentment and satisfaction in knowing that we are in good standing with the Lord.
