Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5941 secrecy
Behaving in a way designed to keep intentions or feelings hidden from others. In Scripture acting or speaking in secret is often linked with wrongdoing, although not in all cases. But nothing can be kept secret from God.
Secrecy as a cover for wrongdoing
Ephesians 5:11-12 See also Deuteronomy 13:6; Deuteronomy 27:15,24; 2 Samuel 15:10 Absalom's camp; 2 Kings 17:9 high places, centres of pagan Canaanite worship; Job 31:24-28; Psalm 10:8; Proverbs 9:17; Proverbs 17:23; Isaiah 65:4; Acts 6:11; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Secret activity of false teachers:
2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4
Secrecy associated with Satan and the black arts
Revelation 2:24 See also Exodus 7:11,22; Exodus 8:7,18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Secrecy sometimes ensures safety
Joshua 2:1 See also Judges 3:15-26; 2 Samuel 21:12
Esther 2:20 See also Jeremiah 13:17; Jeremiah 38:16; Mark 7:24; John 7:2-10; John 19:38
Nothing can be kept secret from God
Jeremiah 23:24 See also 2 Samuel 12:7-12; Job 13:10; Psalm 44:20-21; Psalm 90:8; Psalm 101:5; Psalm 139:1-15
God's truths are not made known in secret
Isaiah 45:19 See also Isaiah 48:16; John 18:20; Acts 26:26
Secrecy in worship
Matthew 6:16-18 See also Matthew 6:1-6
Secrets
Divine secrets
Deuteronomy 29:29 See also Job 11:5-6; Ezekiel 28:3; Matthew 13:10-11 pp Mark 4:10-11; Luke 8:10; Isaiah 6:9; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Corinthians 4:1
Human secrets
Proverbs 11:13 See also Judges 16:5-17; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; Philippians 4:12
See also
1403 God, revelation 4155 divination 4185 sorcery and magic 5146 covering 5812 concealment 5837 disguise 6694 mystery 8115 discipleship 8209 commitment to Christ 8354 trustworthiness 8622 worship 8747 false gods