Public Exposure of Sin: 6 Reasons God Allows It
We have witnessed a significant increase in the public exposure of the sins of prominent Christian ministers within the body of Christ over the last two years. The exposure is mainly of ministers of the gospel caught in sexual sin. God is allowing sins that have been hidden for decades to be brought to light. This exposure is God-ordained, judging by its nature, timing, and increasing momentum. God is cleaning up his house.
The apostle Peter wrote, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). Sin can never stay hidden long if we refuse to repent, especially if we are born-again believers. Jesus said that everything hidden would be brought to light.
“For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:17
“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” Luke 12:2
Unfortunately, many times, these exposures are done by unbelievers, bringing even more reproach to the name of Christ. I wrote an article in February 2024 on why God uses unbelievers to judge the church; read it here.
In this article, we are going to look at 6 reasons why God allows public exposure of sin.
1. Exposure is an act of mercy.
When God allows the exposure of a man’s sins publicly, it is not because he hates him, but because he loves him. God will always warn us privately of sin, and if we refuse to repent, he will send others to warn us. If we refuse that, he will eventually expose us publicly in hopes of getting our attention. God does this because he is a good father and would rather embarrass us to our senses than lose us to hell.
King David is an example of God’s mercy in exposure. When David committed adultery and murder, God exposed him because he loved him. He sent Nathan to him when David would not face up to his sin. David repented and went on to enjoy a beautiful relationship with God.
“But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD… And the LORD sent Nathan unto David… For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” 2 Samuel 11:27, 12:1, 12
“God would rather embarrass you to your senses than lose you to hell.”
“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17
2. Exposure is a form of discipline.
Public exposure is a form of God’s loving discipline for his stubborn, sinning children. It is a form of discipline for the sinner. As a good father, God disciplines his children. When we stubbornly refuse to repent, God will expose us, and this exposure will be painful. It is similar to being chastised by a rod of discipline. The shame, failure, and losses experienced are very painful. Many times, it works to get someone to face their sin and deal with it. I faced this discipline when I was a backslider, and it worked eventually to lead to my repentance and freedom from deception.
This discipline may also be towards the Church, which allowed the sin to go undisciplined. God provides procedures for disciplining church members in His Word. But many times, church leaders and believers do not deal with sin correctly and rather ignore it. When the sin is exposed publicly, it is also a form of discipline to the Church body, as it also faces reproach and losses.
An example of this in the Bible is the sin of incest in the Church of Corinth. Paul rebuked them for their inaction and asked them to remove the sinner from the Church for discipline. This brought great fear to the Church and caused them to humble themselves and repent of their carelessness in dealing with sin (read 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 7:9-12).
“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves.” Proverbs 3:11, 12b
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8
3. Exposure is a warning.
Public exposure is also God’s way of warning others in the Church that they may learn and fear. Those who are living in sin may also receive a warning from the exposure of a fellow believer and come back to their senses. Those who were growing lukewarm are challenged to watch themselves. Many times, Christians can fall into a state of complacency and lose the fear of God. God usually warns us through the exposure of fellow Christians. A good example in the Old Testament is the story of Achan (read Joshua 7-8).
He covered up his sin, but God exposed him in a very public manner and commanded him to be stoned by his fellow Israelites. This served as a great warning to the rest of them.
“But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear.” 1 Timothy 5:20
4. Exposure is judgment.
Exposure is also a form of God’s judgment on his family, the Church. Many people think that God does not judge Christians, but he does. If sin becomes too severe and there is no repentance, God brings judgment. Judgment comes in the form of decisive acts of punishment and is harsher than discipline. God can hand us over to our enemies, turn his face away from us, and allow us to suffer the grave consequences of our sins.
In some cases, judgment can involve death. An example of this is the death of Ananias and Sapphira in the early Church (read Acts 5). The Holy Spirit killed them for lying, and this brought great fear to the young Church.
If someone refuses to repent even after public exposure, it means their heart has been hardened by pride. Unfortunately, in many such cases, the person may never repent and will be damned. A good example of this in the Bible is King Saul and Judas, the apostle of the Lord Jesus. These men did not repent and died in their sins; they faced the ultimate eternal judgment.
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:16-17
When we do things that bring reproach to God’s holy name, he will step in with judgment if we refuse to repent.
5. Exposure is justice and protection.
God will also expose sin to protect victims. God is a God of justice and righteousness. If people are being harmed, abused, and oppressed in his name, he will eventually expose the offenders. Sexual sins are very vile, and they have many casualties and many accompanying sins. It may be why God exposes this particular sin more than others because of the nature of it.
“For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.” Hebrews 10:30
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.” Psalm 89:14
“Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.” Ezekiel 34:10
6. Exposure is for holiness and the fear of God.
Ultimately, God desires repentance and holiness from his people! God’s desire is for our sanctification and holiness as believers, as well as the glory of his great name. God is calling His Church back to holiness and repentance. This will only come through the fear of God and being shaken back to our senses. The Bible tells us to “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Holiness is the standard for the Church. Jesus is coming back for a pure bride without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27).
“Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:9-11
Is God exposing you? Repent!
Public exposure does not have to be in the news, as is the case with well-known people. For the ordinary person, it can be public exposure to family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and church members. It can also be public exposure through sickness, destruction, relationship breakdown, and calamity.
Maybe God is exposing you, too, in your own private life, and things are falling apart because of your sin. Take the opportunity to humble yourself and repent. Sin is not the end, but stubbornness can be if we refuse to repent and keep hiding and making excuses for our sins. The ultimate price of stubbornness and sin is eternal separation from God.
“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
God is merciful and extends his mercy to us while we are still alive. He will forgive any sin (however grave) that is sincerely acknowledged, confessed, repented of, and forsaken.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17 (Read the rest of David’s prayer of repentance after his grave sin in Psalm 51).
You can also read the following articles:
- Why God Uses Unbelievers to Judge the Church
- Judgment Has Begun in the House of God
- God’s Mercy in Discipline and Judgment
- 2025 -The Year of Shaking, Sifting, and Separation
Thank you for reading!
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