Daily devotional, October 17, 2023 Secret thoughts, secret actions

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!" Psalm 119:1

The piece entitled “Can you read my mind” is one of the songs in the Official Soundtrack of the movie Superman. It is that song that was played when Superman held the hands of a girl against the backdrop of the big full moon.  For those unfamiliar with the song or that 1978 movie, the girl in the song was asking Superman if she can read her thoughts and see the pictures she is thinking of.

Every person has private thoughts, some we want to reveal to specific people, some we choose to keep to ourselves. And as we age, and depending on our personality, we tend to develop the ability to conceal these thoughts more and more. Some even become emboldened to do things that should not be done, just because no one is looking.

As Christians we are cautioned about what we think and do when we are just by ourselves. St. Paul the Apostle said in his letter to the Romans that at the end times, the Lord will judge us for everything that we do, including those that only we know: “This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares,” (Romans 2:16). The same idea was also broached in the Book of Ecclesiastes “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

So even if it is an evil thought against someone we cannot hate in the open, or omitting truths, spreading anonymous rumors or gossip online, or stealing even the smallest thing that no one may even discover, we should keep ourselves in check.
We should be conscious that everything that we do will be revealed in the end. The Gospel of Luke says this: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known,” (Luke 12:2).

As parents we should set an example of integrity to our children, and strive to become wonderful people whether in public or in the privacy of our own homes. We must not lead double lives of pleasantness when we are with other people, and then transform to be the mean queen when we are at home or alone with our thoughts. We should lead blameless lives in accordance to what the Lord has commanded and impressed upon us through His son Jesus Christ: “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace,” (2 Peter 3:14). 

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Matthew 10:26-28 and Psalm 101 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Is your public life consistent with your private life? How can the Lord bridge the gap?

Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your never-ending mercies that lead me to paths of righteousness. I pray that as I intentionally follow you, I get to reflect your godly values into my life. Amen.