In George Orwell’s classic science fiction novel 1984, he depicts a society where Big Brother, the government’s all-seeing eye, is watching citizens for even the slightest infraction against the powers that be. When it was first published, many critics scoffed at such a scenario, but today we are becoming accustomed to having our every movement recorded via traffic cams, security cameras, and even cell phones.  We hear warnings about the ability of our interactive devices, computers, and televisions to monitor our words and activities without our knowledge.  Thinking about this situation makes most of us uneasy at the loss of privacy, but it is obvious from the recent social media postings of horrific criminal acts, that not everyone feels the need to respond to this constant observation by living a blameless life.

This is similar to Christians ignoring the Bible’s teaching of God’s omniscience and failing to curb our sinful impulses. We know we are being observed 24/7 and even our thoughts are exposed to God’s all-knowing, all-seeing eye. Yet, we still think we can hide our secret sins.

Many who can quote Psalm 139 from memory still ignore the portent of these words, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.”

Although constant surveillance is uncomfortable; law-abiding citizens of a benign government have nothing to fear. There is no government more benign than God’s Kingdom ruled by the love of our Lord.  Rather than trying to hide our missteps from Him, we should rely on His watchful love and care to keep us from temptation.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!