Secret Motives

There is a record also of the sins of men. “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Secret motives appear in the register, for God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36, 37; 1 Corinthians 4:5. Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin. Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, the influence exerted for good or for evil with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled by the recording angel.HF 296.4