Concealing the Words of God

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon

Job 6:10

Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare…

Job's distress was aggravated by the remarks of his friends, but he turned the guns of the enemy upon themselves, and extracted comfort from what was meant to grieve. He had not concealed the words of the Holy One; had taught his family the great sacrificial truth; was a most faithful witness for God, and made open confession of his own faith in the one holy God.

I. HERE IS A SIN TO BE AVOIDED — CONCEALING THE WORDS OF THE HOLY ONE.

1. We can conceal these words from ourselves. We do this when we will not permit this word to search our own heart and ways — when we conceal the Gospel, and go about to find out some way of our own for self-salvation. We should hide the Gospel in our heart, but not from our heart. We conceal it when we do not receive the whole of revelation, but pick and choose out portions of it.

2. We conceal these words from others by not confessing the truth at all, or by a sinful silence after confession, or by concealing the words of the Lord by our own words, or by clouding the truth with error, or by an inconsistent life. We must shine as lights.

II. ARGUMENTS FOR AVOIDING THIS SIN.

1. The man who conceals the Word is out of order with God. The design of words is to make known the speaker's mind. If you conceal His words you are not in harmony with anything God has made. All declare His glory. Think of the consequences which would have followed if others had done so.

2. The motive to conceal is sinful. It may be cowardice, self-love, or the avoidance of shame.

3. By concealing God's words we are disloyal to God and unlike the Saviour. Think of how this will appear on a dying bed — "I knew the saving secret, but I never told even a child of it." How will this look at the last day?

III. TWO METHODS BY WHICH WE MAY AVOID THIS SIN.

1. By taking care that you make an open profession of your faith and unite with the people of God.

2. When you have done that, by keeping yourself clear of sinful silence by very often speaking to others of the things of God.

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