One of the more twisted concepts to reach "political correctness" in our current social environment is the idea that one's personal life is inviolable (immune from scrutiny or public censure). As with most "politically correct" notions, this one is applied in a terribly subjective and inconsistent manner and is often interjected when one wishes to act against traditional moral and ethical standards. Jesus said, "This is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God" (Jno. 3:19-21).

A while back, an article appeared in the local newspaper concerning a judge in Provo, Utah charged with bigamy. He is a "Latter Day Saint" (Mormon) who first married in 1965. He has subsequently married two of his wife's sisters, one in 1975 and another in 1985. While the judge was fighting to maintain his position on the bench, his attorneys argued that what he does in the privacy of his home and personal relationships does not keep him from being an impartial, fair judge. They said that, even though he is breaking the laws of his state that he swore to uphold, his privacy should be respected.

The applications being made in our country to individual right of privacy are truly amazing. It is acceptable in our society to deliberately abort an unborn child. This murder is sanctioned on the ground that the mother has the right of personal privacy and that allows her to choose to take another human life, to kill her baby. And gay rights activists argue that their right to privacy should be enough for the state to support their homosexual and lesbian marriages. While we all cherish our constitutional right to confidential personal, private information and activity, the framers of our constitution did nto intend to give citizens the right to break the law, redefine values, and engage in every sort of perversion under the cloak of some generic right to privacy.

Beyond the evil of these deeds, however, is the fact that they are not "private." Those advocating abortion are marching in the streets. Those who want to take homosexual mates are "out of the closet" and into our homes via the air- waves. And this judge who feels free to break the laws of his own state sits in judgment on criminals in behalf of everyone else.

Be all that as it may, God will judge all our "private" deeds, even those allowed by our courts (Rom. 1:18-32). Moses warned Israel to do God's Will and "if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23). He further said, "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance" (Psa. 90:8). Paul said, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever ia man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Gal. 6:7,8).

Some of the great stories of the Bible are aimed at dispelling notions of sinning with impunity and escaping judgment because evil could be hidden from God. Achan hid spoils from Jericho but God publicly exposed him (Jos. 7:10-26). David took Bathsheba and Nathan came to say, "Thou art the man" (2 Sam. 12:7). Therefore, David prayed, "Cleanse me from secret faults" (Psa. 19:12).

Solomon said, "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Prov. 28:13). Reflecting on his own guilt and subsequent forgiveness, David said, "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity, I have not hidden. I said 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psa. 32:3-5).

Privacy is precious. But rather than providing the hidden cave for immorality and ungodliness, the privacy we cherish is a shelter for our modesty. It is a refuge for godly propriety a haven for live and comfort, a retreat in which peace and joy can be found. It is a home providing communion with our families and friends. It is a sanctuary of prayer to God.

By C.G. "Colly" Caldwell in Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 2, Feb. 2007.

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