Secret sins
Secret sins are sins hidden from other people, and sometimes even sins a person does not fully recognize in himself. Scripture teaches that God knows both outward acts and the hidden thoughts and motives of the heart.
At a Glance
Secret sins are sins hidden from other people, and sometimes even sins a person does not fully recognize in himself. Scripture teaches that God knows both outward acts and the hidden thoughts and motives of the heart.
Description
Secret sins refers to sins that are not seen by others, including both concealed outward wrongdoing and inward sins of the heart such as pride, lust, unbelief, bitterness, deceit, or impure motives. Scripture consistently teaches that God sees what is hidden and judges not only external behavior but also the inner person. For that reason, secret sins should not be treated as less serious simply because they escape human notice. At the same time, believers may also speak of "hidden faults" in the sense of sins they do not fully perceive in themselves, which calls for humility and dependence on God’s searching grace. A careful biblical definition should therefore emphasize that all sin is known to God and that the proper response is honest confession, repentance, and a desire for inward holiness.