“The Sign of Secret Sins”
Luke 22:24-38
How can you really tell what’s going in someone’s mind? You can’t! The best we can do is listen for verbal signals and watch for visual signals. Usually, as people talk and live, what’s inside starts coming out.
For instance, when I was about 14, I deceived my parents about something as silly as lunch, and it wasn’t until a family dinner one night, oddly enough., that my words exposed me. Even though I took my lunch every day – the one my mom made me – I would stop by the front desk of the dining hall and simply say, “Charge it.” Then I would promptly and discreetly toss my virgin sack lunch into the trash bin. It made no sense, but that’s what I was doing for about 3 weeks. You see, because my parents worked at the school on the college level, they had an account. “Nice,” I thought, especially when a hot lunch seemed so much more attractive and delicious than a brown bag. After all, all the cool kids had bought hot lunch, so I was discovering a new a paradigm of acceptance as well, a whole new world of friends.
That whole new world unraveled one night at dinner when my little sister commented on her new lunch items. She was getting ham, some new kind of chips, and some other stuff I had never seen. So leave it to me to speak up and vent my sense of injustice. “Why don’t I get that kind of stuff?” WHAM – was I in trouble! That began a conversation that lasted a little longer than I had hoped (ouch!), and entered me into the home school version of “Debt Reduction for Dummies.” That’s right – I had to pay back the money I had sinisterly charged and apologize to the accounting office and the front desk clerk. Yes, my greed had been exposed. My deceit was confronted. How? By this crazy muscle tucked in behind my lips. Truly, our words usually give us away. It’s one of the surest signs outwardly something isn’t right inwardly.
This very principle is on display in Luke 22 – where lots of words were spoken – and it brought to light some real heart issues. Would you turn to Luke 22?
Let’s look at the two verbal exchanges that take place in this portion of our text: An argument between the disciples and an announcement from Peter. Let’s look a little closer, okay?
1. First, the disciples argue about their authority in 22:24-30. Notice some textual observations that bring this point home.
The word “dispute” in 22:24 is similar to a “rivalry.” In other words, a competition erupted over their future pecking order.
And the word “greatest” in 22:25, while used here in the superlative form, has a comparative usage as well in this text, so it can be seen as “greater.” They weren’t just wondering about greatness, or who would be among the greatest. They wanted to know who would be greater than all the others, in the end making him the greatest.
According to 22:25-26, they were now thinking like the world. How unfortunate! You see, in that culture those with the authority were the ones who called themselves “Benefactors.” They would actually hire people to pay homage and render tribute by having these “hired hands” speak nice words about them and call them fancy titles. They were really into the look of authority.
This is not to be in the kingdom! Instead, the kingdom isn’t about the look of authority, but a lifestyle of faithful service. God’s kingdom isn’t about what you call yourself, but rather about your actions – how do you live?
While there is a load of insight here on servant hood, I want to instead draw your attention to what tipped Christ off to their inner struggle with pride and greed – their conversation! They probably intended their conversation to be about their kingdom status, but their hearts were really curious about their own personal benefits. Inwardly, they were struggling with greed, and their words were giving them away. You see, our words are a window to our hearts.
And Jesus sets them straight, doesn’t he? He nabs them in their downward trend and teaches them what is the right view of spiritual authority – serving others faithfully! And to those that served with him well – faithfully – he would reward them later. And in the middle of their struggle, he does commend them for “standing with him,” and assures them that faithfulness pays off. He will reward them at a later date by granting them the right to have authority in his kingdom. It won’t be now, as they were hoping, and as Judas thought, but it will happen during the millennium when Christ rules and his physical kingdom is established on the earth.
By the way, let me encourage you to be more interested in faithfulness than authority; to be more intrigued with God’s reward, not man’s approval. When the urge to “rise up and be on top” starts pushing it’s way to the surface of your life, or when you feel a temptation towards self promotion, instead trust the Lord’s timetable.
There’s an interesting comment from Christ between the disciples’ argument and Peter’s announcement. It is in v. 31-32, and he warns them that “Satan desires to have you so that he can sift you like wheat.” (the “you” is plural in these verses, but the comment is addressed to Peter, since he was often the spokesman or leader of the group). Yes, while they were all talking, our Lord reveals, in the presence of these apparently great words, that temptation is just around the corner, for “Satan desires to have you so that he can sift you like wheat.” In other words, Satan is hoping he can “take you apart” (i.e., sift) and do irreparable damage.
Thankfully, Peter would be “turned around” and then “strengthen” (i.e., establish) his fellow disciples. And that’s what he did at Pentecost, and he wrote about this in his letters. This same word – “establish” – is used twice by Peter in his epistles. He saw it as one of his goals – to firm up those who were spiritually waffling. Truly, Peter was a “rock” when it came to organizing and panting the first church!
But it didn’t start that way. No, it started off in shallow debate and grandiose words. And in the middle of these types of conversations, the enemy was scheming to take them apart and bring them down. Our words can often be Satan’s best camouflage, can’t they?
Well, after this warning, Peter speaks up…uh-oh! So notice this next verbal exchange.
2. Yes, Peter announces his commitment – twice! – in 22:31-34 (and John 13).
While this text only shows us one of those grandiose commitments, we know from John 13 that Peter also made a showy statement about his need to be “totally bathed” at the foot washing. In both instances, Peter was quick to voice his commitment – put his loyalty on verbal display – but the actions weren’t there to back up what he said.
Furthermore, notice the two statements that begin with “I.” Peter’s in 22:33 (an indication that over-confidence was a struggle and temptation), and Jesus’ in 22:34 (Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself).
Can’t you envision this? After a warning of the soon-to-be temptation, Peter blurts out, “I am ready…!” It’s an indication of self-confidence and boasting, which is nothing more than pride. But the Lord responds, “I tell you something different Peter…!” No, Peter wasn’t ready, and who knew better than the Lord. Peter’s confidence was in the wrong person, and it would come back to later haunt him. No doubt Christ knew Peter was focused too much on his own strength by the words he used.
Additionally, John 13:31 tells us Peter actually promised he would “lay down his life” and Matthew 26:33 reports that Peter stated, “I never will fall away.” Sounds like a man probably too full of himself, doesn’t it?
You see, Peter’s words indicated he was putting too much faith in his own human ability to be completely committed – to be totally and recklessly abandoned out of sheer human energy and self will! At the foot washing and at the last supper, he made his verbal stand based on what he wanted. That type of self-confidence and human boasting should be a warning to us – we may be on the verge of denial.
Interestingly, the temptation to be self-confident, not God-reliant, often stems from fear. Yes, we start worrying and dreading what’s ahead, so we take matters into our own hands and begin to act independently of God – self-confident in our plans and strengths. The idea of waiting in peace for God’s plan to unfold scares us, so in fear we run ahead, pretending to be self-confident and assured. In fact, often the most self-confident people on the outside are very insecure and afraid on the inside. And that’s why they make such bold, incredible statements – they want to take their stand outwardly and make sure no one really sees what’s really going on inwardly.
Ideally, what we should say is, “Lord willing.” That’s what James teaches us in James 4:13-16. Instead of boasting about what we will do and where we will go, we should bridle our tongues and put a disclaimer on our words – “Lord willing.” He actually says our “boasting is not good.” So let’s heed the advice from one of the New Testament writers and refuse self-reliance and over-confidence.
Notice the word “sin” at the end of 4:17. To think we can do whatever we want without considering the good God wants us to do is “sin,” as the last verse points out (v. 17). Did you see that word? And in the context, what is happening? Self-reliance and over-confidence displayed by grandiose words about what we will do and not do.
I tend to think it was this way with Peter; his fear of what was ahead probably pulled him towards an unsafe and premature place of self-confidence. And he just blurted out what he would do. But his presumptuous words gave him away. It was obvious he was thinking more highly of himself than he ought (Romans 12:3).
Even though Peter is long on words outwardly, he is short on depth inwardly. He thinks he is miles from danger, but in reality he is just steps away from the edge of a fall. And his words were one of the ways our Lord knew Peter was way overconfident. He was self-assured, not God-dependant, an inner temptation no doubt.
So what do all these encounters have in common?
At a bare minimum, loud words! Lots of words! But empty words. And they revealed what was really going on inside. Reminds me of what Christ taught in earlier in Luke when he said: “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
Allow me to give you a simple sentence to help you remember what we learned in Luke 22 about the sign of secret sins: Emphatic but empty words coming from me usually indicate secret and sinful temptation going on inside me.
In fact, there is a telling story in Acts 8:14-24 regarding a man named Simon, and Peter was able to tell from his words that things weren’t right. Let me show you how Peter actually learned from his own situation (about premature words and inner temptation) and used it to steer another individual in the right way.
In short, Simon wanted to be able to give people the Holy Spirit as he saw the apostles do. So he offered money and said (v. 19), “Give me this ability…” Those words, quite emphatic but obviously very empty, and those actions – no doubt obviously based on greed – let Peter know that something wasn’t right – his heart! What follows in vs. 20-23 is Peter’s personal rebuke to Simon about his heart, which he knew wasn’t right because he heard Simon’s words and saw Simon’s actions. Simon wanted part of the ministry but had the wrong heart for ministry! He spoke too quickly and revealed his real intentions. His words gave his true motives away!
Notice especially the last phrase in v. 23: “…captive to sin…” It was apparent from the words of Simon that there were some secret things going on his heart, some temptations and struggles.
So I say to you again: Emphatic but empty words coming from me usually indicate secret and sinful temptation going on inside me.
The connection between my heart and my mouth is nothing new – Proverbs is full of verses that remind us of this principle. Let me show you this incredible list:
10:19, 10:32, 11:12, 12:13, 12:16, 12:23, 13:3, 16:1, 16:23, 17:27-28, 20:19, 21:23, 25:11, 26:23-26, 27:2
For your information, we’ve posted this list on our Web site under this week’s Extra Point. Take some time this week to read through these verses in your mall group, memorize most, if not all, of them. Together with Acts 8, James 4, and Luke 22, God will begin to harness the words we say and bring light to our real needs and issues.
What am I asking you to do? Well, first, I’m not suggesting you be more secret by not talking! Clamming up and bottling things doesn’t solve anything.
Nor am I going to be able to give a quick remedy this week to an issue this large. (I’ll say more in the next two weeks about dealing with this issue from my messages “Battling the Bite of Betrayal.”)
But let me offer an action point that will help as we continue to root out secrecy and guard against the temptation of betrayal and apostasy. Knowing that our words tend to be the first sign outwardly that something isn’t right inwardly, may I encourage you to do this: Listen more. Speak less. Trust always.
Here’s why – as you think through what you’re about to say, it can tip you off that something isn’t right inside. You can begin to spot areas that are uncomfortably close to temptation and in the thick of a struggle.
In fact, as the passage ends, we find the disciples still missing the point of Christ’s comments – struggling with listening – and speaking about things that really weren’t in his plan, such as thrones and wars. He even reminded them of the earlier days when they trusted what he said, did it, and things were fine. But as they contemplated their own agenda and self-confidence, they began to slip towards temptation. Finally, he says “It is enough,” which, if literally translated, could read, “Enough of this kind of talk.” Essentially, he was hoping they would listen more, talk less, and trust always.
I urge you to let your words run through the brain before they come out the mouth. Spot the ones that indicate something may not be right inside. Have the courage to help your friends, spouse, or children by listening to their words and helping them avoid grandiose statements that may only indicate inward sin. Let’s push each other’s towards a James 1:19 lifestyle – “Let every man be quick to hear and slow to speak.”
As we learn to guard our tongues, I believe we will learn to keep ourselves from sin.
Let’s pray.
