Proverbs 18:1
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
In our modern culture, the concept of privacy has become a coveted and protected “right.” However, in the words of scripture, clinging to privacy is a very dangerous thing.
I think particularly now about a friend of mine who has been a friend for a long time. I can always tell when he is doing well and when he is doing poorly. How? The more private he becomes, the more in shambles is his Christian walk. The more open he is with me, the better he is doing. Rest assured, I do not believe that I am any sort of deciding factor in his life. But, the truth is, when he tries to keep things to himself, to hide from others, to drop off the edge of the planet, it is generally because he is also hiding sin and foolish behavior about which he does not want to be confronted.
And, the truth is, I am also similar. If I’m being foolish, I try to hide it. If I am leaning away from godliness, I often turn inward. I don’t want to share my life with friends who might show me that I am heading in a wrong direction.
The point of this proverb is obvious. Are you one who hides his or her actions? If so, you are in danger. Are you one who relies on your own counsel alone? You are foolish. You need Christian friends around you to help you to grow. You cannot make it in this life alone; you were not designed to. Find a church. Find Christian friends. Be open and honest. Do not fight for privacy. Tell the truth. Walk with others. This is the path of wise Christian living.
Pastor Travis Peterson 