Ashley Madison, Privacy & God
Anonymous comments, obscure email addresses, passwords, and private browsing have given our culture the illusion of internet privacy and an invitation to engage in behavior they want to keep private. However, the Ashley Madison scandal, computer hackers, identity theft, and, of course, Scripture, remind us that there is no such thing as Internet privacy.
Often, this reminder comes with a cost.
Families are being destroyed one affair and one web search at a time, and more than ever before, the guilty party lives convinced that, not only will their actions never impact their homes, but also that no one will ever see or know what they do online and offline.
Throughout Scripture, we find promises of God’s presence. For the believer, this is to serve as a comforting reminder that our heavenly Father is always with us, carrying us through the storms of life, listening to our prayers, and daily providing our needs.
Hearts longing for the presence of the Lord rejoice when they read, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” (Psalm 139:7-8).
For those living in sin, however, these words are not comforting. For those searching for privacy for the sake of hiding their sin, it is a terrifying thing to be know that God is always watching and to be reminded, therefore, that, “Your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). And in one of the most famous New Testament passages, Jesus told his disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
What beautiful promises! What an underserved gift! An ever-present Savior is always by our side!
But do you delight in these promises when you’re alone with your smartphone, tablet or computer? Is it a blessing to know that, even when no one else is with you, the Lord is with you?
His presence is meant to be comforting, the fulfillment of wonderful promises. In moments of hidden sin, though, it should strike a deep chord of fear as we remember that, whether or not hackers ever discover our secrets, nothing is secret from the Lord. Everything will be revealed and exposed.
As Jesus warned, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known” (Luke 12:2).
We also read, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
Let us not wait for the next computer hack before we repent. And let our actions not be driven by whether or not the Internet is secure. Let us desire the purity and holiness of God so that all we do, which He always sees, will please the Lord, whether or not it’s ever reported by USA Today.
