An excuse some use to justify sin is the claim that “no one will know” we have done something wrong.
In 2 Samuel 11, a man after God’s own heart was deceived by this way of thinking. In that chapter, David committed
adultery with Bathsheba, told lies to “hide” what he had done, and had Bathsheba’s husband Uriah put to death (2 Samuel 11:14-15). Following Uriah’s death, David took Bathsheba to be his wife, and seemed to think his sins were “covered up.”
Yet, God was not fooled. The end of the chapter says “the thing that David had done displeased the Lord” (verse
27). David’s sin did not go unnoticed or unpunished.
As David learned, we can’t hide from Him whose judgment matters most. Hebrews 4:13 says “Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom
we have to do.”
Hypocrisy leads one to focus only on appearing righteous in the eyes of others. Sincere obedience leads one to be
righteous, no matter how many people are watching. The righteous know that God is always watching.
May we endeavor to have a godly character, and never make the excuse “no one will know” to justify sin.
– Michael Hickox