Have you ever done an in-depth, undistracted reading of the Bible? I don’t mean reading it word-for-word, front-to-back, but what I do mean is spending time to fully comprehend what messages the Bible has to tell you.
It’s easy to overlook certain passages in the Bible that tell us all the things we shouldn’t be doing. Who wants to read about the things they’re doing wrong?
Secret Sins You Don’t Even Know You Are Committing
1. WORRY/FEAR
Worrisome and anxious thoughts are easy to possess. And although these sometimes creep in out of our control, the Bible talks about it being a hidden sin.
1 Peter 5:6-8 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
When we worry, we allow Satan to have a foothold in our lives. It’s like we’re telling God we don’t trust what he’s doing. Now I’m sure he knows there are times when we can’t control our worrying, but letting it drive our lives is when it becomes displeasing to God. Trust him, and let go and let God!
2. PRIDE
James 4:6 says, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
This is a sin that I see being committed time and time again, and I’m guilty of it, too. When we have certain accomplishments and successes, it’s hard not wanting to tell the world or post about them on social media. God wants us to have a humble heart, boasting of his greatness rather than our own.
JEALOUSY
You may think that you’re not a jealous person, but jealousy exists outside of relationships! When was the last time you’ve thought “I wish I had her hair, her body, her outfit, etc.”? God loves when we’re content in our own circumstances, not longing for the circumstances of others.
Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
It’s exhausting to constantly desire the things of others. Focus on loving who you are and the things you are blessed with. Thank God for everything he’s given you instead of wanting the things he’s given others!
3. HOLDING A GRUDGE
Holding grudges makes us bitter and stubborn. God wants us to extend forgiveness to everyone, no matter how bad they’ve hurt us or how wrong they’ve treated us. This doesn’t mean to let those people walk all over us, but more so forgiving them like God constantly and whole-heartedly forgives us!
Nobody’s perfect, but we can try our hardest to avoid these secret sins and be in prayer over them. Pick one that you want to focus on this week, and make a daily choice to practice it!
This article on secret sins originally appeared here.
