With the number of apps and devices listening to everything you say, there is a growing concern about the death of privacy. It has been well-founded that many of these devices are listening even when you turn them off or restrict their permissions. Combine this with the growing number of cameras in your home and in public, and it’s safe to say privacy in modern cultures is a thing of the past.
Someone or something is always listening. Someone or something is always watching. This makes most normal people uncomfortable, to say the least. We don’t want our most intimate words and actions to be known. But this is nothing new. From the beginning, God was always listening and watching (Psalm 94:9). You have never said or done anything that escaped His awareness (Psalm 139:1-4).
We are so concerned that other people might hear or see what we do in private, yet don’t seem to care if God is aware of those same details. There is nothing hidden from God, no matter how clever you think you are (Hebrews 4:13). God’s watchful eyes witness every sin you ever commit (Proverbs 15:3). Do you ever think about that? Before you decide to engage in any speech or behavior, understand God is watching and listening (Jeremiah 23:24). Knowing this, should you say or do what you were intending?
To sin on purpose is to spit in the face of God (Isaiah 59:2; Hebrews 10:26-27). It is to disregard what Jesus did on the cross (Romans 5:8). As you grow in your relationship with Christ, it becomes more and more difficult to sin (Galatians 5:16). Trust me, you will still sin, but it will not be intentional. God is always listening not only to the words that come from our mouths, but also to the thoughts that percolate in our minds (Matthew 12:36). There are no private screenings in the theater of your mind. God has a front-row seat at every showing (Psalm 139:2). What sort of images and movies are you putting on display?
The primary reason we continue to sin is we don’t see sin as the putrid and utter abomination that it is (Proverbs 6:16-19). Sin isn’t just a mistake or a slip. It is something that is detestable to the Lord and cannot exist in His presence (Habakkuk 1:13). Either we obliterate sin or He will obliterate us (Romans 6:23). What else could a just and Holy God do?
More than any technological gadget, God is always listening. He knows the words on the tip of your tongue before you ever speak them (Psalm 139:4). There are good reasons to limit and even eliminate the listening devices around you, but it’s even more important to allow the Holy Spirit to transform your heart and mind (Romans 12:2).
No matter what ramifications might befall you based on what a government or technology company records you saying, what you say in the presence of God has far greater and everlasting consequences (Matthew 12:36). Are you so bold as to be careless with the words you speak in front of the Savior? God is always listening. He does not slumber or sleep (Psalms 121:4). Do you care what Jesus hears you say?