Three verses in the Bible are certainties. The first certainty is: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18) He will not listen when we pray. Which means (a) We cannot pray in faith; (b) We cannot pray in the Spirit; (c) We cannot pray fervently; (d) We cannot pray sincerely; (e) We cannot pray expectantly; (f) We cannot quote His promises while praying; and (g) We cannot pray impartially or objectively.
The second verse is Proverbs 28:13: “He who covers his sins shall not prosper.” The second half of this verse promises: “But he who confesses and forsakes them shall find mercy.” So, the question is whether we are prepared to confess them and forsake them, or rather deny them and try to cover them.
The third is Numbers 32:23: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” This verse ‘haunts’ those who try hard to convince themselves that no one will ever uncover the evil things done in secret by them. Some might remain covered in this life, but all will be uncovered in the next! (Acts 17:31)
These three verses come together in the case of Achan, who tried to hide a secret sin by “burying” it in his tent (Joshua 7:1-26). Firstly, he “regarded iniquity in his heart” by seeing and taking spoils of war from the conquered city of Jericho. Joshua had called the city and everything in it “accursed”.
Secondly, Achan “covered” his secret sin by burying the forbidden items in the ground under his tent.
Thirdly, as a result of God’s judgement on Israel and a subsequent investigation, his sin “found him out”.
After Achan’s sin was exposed, he was judged and the blessing of God came back upon Israel, who went out and won battles as they had before Achan buried his secret sin out of sight.
Secret sin is a running sore in a believer’s prayer life. If these three verses have convinced you that you are hiding a secret sin in your life, confess them to God, who will forgive you and cleanse you from them. Don’t put it off but ask Him to do so now, in the Name of Jesus, who shed his blood on the Cross to save you from them.