Nothing to Hide

“I'll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth... this man stands before you healthy and whole.” Acts 4:10 MSG

When Peter and John stood before the religious leaders in Acts 4, they weren’t nervous. They weren’t defensive. They weren’t scrambling for the right words.

They were clear, calm, and confident.

And then Peter said it: “We have nothing to hide.”

That line stopped me in my tracks. Because in a world where we often feel pressure to filter our faith, hide our hurts, or mask our motives, there’s something beautifully freeing about being able to say, “What you see is what you get.”

But what gave them such boldness?
Here are four things that positioned them—and can position us—to live with nothing to hide:

1. Personal Encounter

They weren’t repeating someone else’s story—they were living their own. These men had walked with Jesus. They had witnessed the cross and the resurrection. Their confidence didn’t come from hearsay. It came from firsthand experience.

When you’ve seen Jesus work in your life—when you’ve been forgiven, restored, and filled with hope—you’re not afraid to speak up.

You don’t need to memorize a script when you’re living the story.

2. Purity of Motive

Peter and John weren’t trying to build a platform or chase influence. They were simply obeying God and helping people. And there’s a peace that comes with pure motives.

When your “why” is to glorify Jesus, you don’t have to hide behind perfection or polish. You can speak plainly and love deeply.

3. Power of the Spirit

Earlier in Acts 4, we’re told Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit” before he spoke. That matters. His boldness and clarity weren’t rooted in personality—they were the result of God’s power working through him.

If boldness feels hard for you, you’re not alone. But the good news? You don’t have to manufacture courage. You just have to receive it.

4. Purpose-Driven Life

Peter and John knew exactly why they were there: to point people to Jesus. That kind of purpose silences confusion and fear.

When you live for people’s approval, you’ll constantly adjust your message. But when you live for God’s purpose, your message stays the same—even when it costs you something.

And I don’t just write this as a concept—I’ve lived it.

In January 2023, I had a moment of failure that changed everything.

What started as occasional social drinking slowly became a way to numb my emotions. One night, I drank too much and made poor choices. The consequences followed. I lost my pastoral role and stepped away from everything I once led.

What came next was the hardest and most healing stretch of my life—nearly two years of deep restoration: counseling, recovery meetings, weekly accountability check-ins, and a month at a restoration center.

And when I returned to church—not to lead, just to attend—I felt like shame walked in with me.

I kept my head down in worship, not because I wasn’t grateful, but because I was drowning.
I believed the messages, but didn’t believe they applied to me.
I walked in late. I left early. I avoided eye contact, avoided conversation… avoided hope.

But here’s what I’ve learned:
Shame wants to define you by your worst moment.
Jesus wants to define you by His best one.

Yesterday, I stood on stage preaching—not because I had something to prove, but because I had nothing left to hide.

I shared my story. I named my failure. I pointed to God’s grace.
And in that moment, I remembered again:
God does more with honesty than He ever does with hype.

What if you didn’t have to keep pretending?
What if you could lay down the pressure to perform, the fear of being found out, and the weight of trying to keep it all together?

Because the truth is—
Pretending wears you out.
Hiding drains your joy.
Performing for approval will always leave you empty.

But there’s another way:
Honest faith. Unfiltered worship. A heart anchored in Jesus.
Not perfect, but real.

Imagine living so rooted in Christ that you don’t feel the need to impress anyone.
You don’t have to spin the story or hide the scars.
You just live free—and point to the One who set you free.

If your heart is craving that kind of freedom, I want to invite you to pause and pray this with me:

Jesus, I’m tired of pretending.
I want to live free—anchored in You, not the opinions of others.
Help me walk in truth, love, and purpose.
Give me the boldness that only comes from Your Spirit,
and the peace that only comes from purity of heart.
I want to be someone who points to You—honestly, humbly, and wholeheartedly.
Amen.

Make It Personal

Before you scroll away, take a few quiet moments to reflect:

• Is there a part of your story you’ve been hiding out of fear or shame?

• Are you pretending to be “okay” while silently struggling inside?

• What would change if you truly believed you had nothing to hide?

And if you’d like to watch the full message, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/pPEneEBvadk?si=e15-K7s9Za4I3u1J