Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. It has been defined simply as "the perceived quality of intentionally shared information from a sender." Wikipedia
Transparency is important because when we hide things in our lives it keeps them in darkness. Darkness is the realm of Satan. It is in that place that he can torment us and condemn us. It doesn't allow the Holy Spirit to deal with that area in our life. The bible exhorts us to, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." If there is no confession there can't be healing.
So what is a trespass? Well many define it as sin. I will give you another perspective. When we trespass, we are actually going into enemy territory. We are trespassing the boundaries of the realm of the spirit. We are going to a place where God isn't. This is dangerous because you become fair game to the enemy. You are on his turf and he can take you out. Many Christians have the idea that they can trespass without consequence. Let me suggest to you that this mentality is dangerous because it can get you killed. Yes God may forgive you but sooner or later you will become a casualty if you are not careful.
What happens when we are not transparent after awhile is that we go in a state of denial. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10 Denial is the act of pretending that you are not struggling or not dealing with the elephant in the room. Denial opposes the work of the Holy Spirit. "Having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:5 You are refusing to grant access to the truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. When we are in denial or don't confess our sins we deny the Spirit of Truth access.
This happens in many areas. It can happen in our own personal life but it can also happen in the church. There are many churches that will be in denial over the moral failure of their leader or leaders over them. At this point the truth is too much for them to deal with so they deny the obvious moral failure or even cover it up. They allow their admiration and love for that person to get in the way of exposing something that will ultimately destroy the person they are protecting and those around them. This is not saying that we air everyone's dirty laundry. What I'm saying is don't cover up sin. It doesn't get dealt with that way. We expose it to bring healing and reconciliation not so we can kick someone when they are down. The exception to that would be criminal activity or something that will cause someone immediate danger. For example don't keep quiet if you suspect abuse of a child or think your leader is going to put a hit on his wife. I'm not being cynical. This stuff really happens. Just recently they discovered a group of Christians (supposed) who plotted the death and murdered the wife of a minister. What's worse this was all by the direction and leading of their overseer.
Listen as far as loyalty goes it ends when someone is being unethical, and decides they are going to be an apostate. Again let me emphasis that this does not mean we cut people off who are struggling with sin. We cut them off if they know they are sinning, don't care and don't intend to stop. We are not following men. We are following Jesus and when the person we have been in fellowship with decides that they are going to trespass into enemy territory we wave goodbye. See you when you get back if you come back. I will pray for you. Love is key in all these matters. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to write.
Transparency is important because when we hide things in our lives it keeps them in darkness. Darkness is the realm of Satan. It is in that place that he can torment us and condemn us. It doesn't allow the Holy Spirit to deal with that area in our life. The bible exhorts us to, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." If there is no confession there can't be healing.
So what is a trespass? Well many define it as sin. I will give you another perspective. When we trespass, we are actually going into enemy territory. We are trespassing the boundaries of the realm of the spirit. We are going to a place where God isn't. This is dangerous because you become fair game to the enemy. You are on his turf and he can take you out. Many Christians have the idea that they can trespass without consequence. Let me suggest to you that this mentality is dangerous because it can get you killed. Yes God may forgive you but sooner or later you will become a casualty if you are not careful.
What happens when we are not transparent after awhile is that we go in a state of denial. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10 Denial is the act of pretending that you are not struggling or not dealing with the elephant in the room. Denial opposes the work of the Holy Spirit. "Having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:5 You are refusing to grant access to the truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. When we are in denial or don't confess our sins we deny the Spirit of Truth access.This happens in many areas. It can happen in our own personal life but it can also happen in the church. There are many churches that will be in denial over the moral failure of their leader or leaders over them. At this point the truth is too much for them to deal with so they deny the obvious moral failure or even cover it up. They allow their admiration and love for that person to get in the way of exposing something that will ultimately destroy the person they are protecting and those around them. This is not saying that we air everyone's dirty laundry. What I'm saying is don't cover up sin. It doesn't get dealt with that way. We expose it to bring healing and reconciliation not so we can kick someone when they are down. The exception to that would be criminal activity or something that will cause someone immediate danger. For example don't keep quiet if you suspect abuse of a child or think your leader is going to put a hit on his wife. I'm not being cynical. This stuff really happens. Just recently they discovered a group of Christians (supposed) who plotted the death and murdered the wife of a minister. What's worse this was all by the direction and leading of their overseer.
Listen as far as loyalty goes it ends when someone is being unethical, and decides they are going to be an apostate. Again let me emphasis that this does not mean we cut people off who are struggling with sin. We cut them off if they know they are sinning, don't care and don't intend to stop. We are not following men. We are following Jesus and when the person we have been in fellowship with decides that they are going to trespass into enemy territory we wave goodbye. See you when you get back if you come back. I will pray for you. Love is key in all these matters. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to write.
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