Practicing Secrecy in an Age of Influenceনমুনা

The Fruit of Secrecy Well Practiced

What is the fruit of practicing the discipline of secrecy in our age of influence? Who will we become as the years go by if we choose to lean into this seemingly ancient practice from the Way of Jesus? If we were to catch a vision of our future self one month, one year, or even five years from today, how would our lives look different because of this discipline from the prevailing winds of our “Look-at-me” culture?

Before we consider the answer to these questions, it is again worth repeating that practicing any discipline from the life of Jesus is a means to an end. A life of discipline is not the goal. We aim to become more like Jesus—a person characterized by love, joy, and peace. Practicing the disciplines is simply our act of surrender.

With that in mind, here are two of the many fruits that often result from practicing the discipline of secrecy.

#1 Humility: A life characterized by humility is a fruit that others will observe in us as we lean into the discipline of secrecy. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us of Jesus' example of humility, self-denial, and obedience, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross."

Regarding humility, Andrew Murray observed that "The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised and himself forgotten because, in God's presence, he has learned to say with Paul, "I am nothing." (2 Corinthians 12:11). He has received the Spirit of Jesus, who did not please Himself and did not seek His own honor, as the spirit of life."

#2 Becoming a trusted friend: Loneliness is the epidemic of our day. People are desperate to be heard. They long for someone they can share their heart with. Someone they can share their life with and have complete confidence that it will remain private.

Through the continual practice of secrecy, God will do what only He can do in us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can become the kind of person who can tame our tongues, the kind of person who is allergic to gossip, and the kind of person who is slow to speak and quick to listen.

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