Friday 14 September 2012

Invasion of privacy


Picture taken from http://www.walesonline.co.uk/

The decision of a French magazine to publish photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge whilst on holiday in France has generated quite a bit of comment and anger. The overall feeling seems to be that this is a significant invasion of their privacy – aren’t we all allowed a little privacy? In human terms the answer would have to be ‘yes’. Sadly, if we are a person in the public eye it seems that privacy is very difficult to achieve. There always seems to be someone snooping and prying, waiting to grab a photo and make some money.

However, in another context a recent enquiry has been tasked with providing some sort of guidance on the subject of “what is in the public interest”. Aren’t there some things done in private that should be made public? Those who break the law, even if it is in private, must not be allowed to escape punishment.

My thoughts turned to the Bible verse that tells us that men and women love privacy because so often their deeds are evil – they are breaking the law, behaving immorally, or dealing falsely. They don’t want the spotlight to fall upon them, and expose their behaviour. They prefer secrecy. They wish their “privacy” to be maintained, so that they cannot be found out.

The Bible challenge is that God does not need a long lens to provide a blurred photograph. He does not need to turn the light on to see what’s done in the darkness. There is not one person “that is not manifest in his sight”. All our secrets are known to God – even those things that we haven’t shared with our closest friends. That’s frightening – especially when we think that God will hold us to account for every one! How important it is to know our sins forgiven. This can only be achieved through the work of the Lord Jesus and through faith in Him. Have you confessed your need to God?