Consistency

CONSISTENCY

“...in secret I have said nothing.”

John 18:19-23 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. "Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said." And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?" RSV- “I have said nothing secretly.”

JESUS SPOKE PRIVATELY.

He spoke privately with His disciples

They asked him privately about the destruction of Jerusalem. Mt. 24:3; Mk. 13:3

They asked privately about why they could not cast out a certain spirit. Mt. 17:19; Mk. 9:28

He separated Himself and the disciples from the crowds. Luke 9:10; 10:23

He shared private moments with his disciples. Lk. 9:18, 36

He shared the meaning of parables with his disciples privately. Mk. 4:10, 34

It seems He spoke privately with Nicodemus - Jn. 3:1-2

JESUS SPOKE THE SAME THING, WHETHER IN PRIVATE OR PUBLIC.

So did Paul. Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicatedto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privatelyto those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

PRIVACY IS DIFFERENT FROM SECRECY.

“privately” - Apart: lit., "according to one's own," i.e., privately, alone

“secret” - hidden, concealed

The motive and intent of a Christian who deceives others.

Gal. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:1 - false teachers work secretly, courting members to their side without any desire for open examination. They say in secret what they would never say openly.

What are some ways Christians can be inconsistent and deceitful in their speech?

Jesus did some things in “secret”, but never with deceit!

Jn. 7:4, 10 - Jesus did not do this to deceive, but to adequately fulfill God’s commands. He knew the Jews wanted Him dead, but he needed to obey the Father.

Did Jesus keep information from those who sought it?

Christians are commanded to do some things in “secret”, but never with deceit!

Mt. 6:4, 6, 18 - These are good things that, if broadcasted, create opportunities for pride and selfishness. Doing all we can to keep them hidden is pleasing to God, because the only one we have to “impress” is Him!

Do we keep these good deeds secret “no matter what”, or to the best of our ability?

CHRISTIANS SPEAK OPENLY AND CONSISTENTLY.

Everything hidden is going to be exposed. Mt. 10:26; Mk. 4:22; Lk. 8:17; 12:2; Rom. 2:16

Christians are to renounce deception and live honestly. 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 4:2

Christians are to expose and correct darkness. Mat. 18:15; Eph. 5:11-13

OUR CONSISTENCY HELPS INFLUENCE THE WORLD.

Mat. 5:37; 1 Peter 2:11-12 - How can we be more consistent in our speech?