There's a Crack in Your Armor Perry Stone

women who are now mothers have been sacrificed on the altar of silence to protect an older member of the family who abused her as a child. The person you see smiling in church on Sunday morning and testifying to a public victory may return home and be fighting private struggles that are paving a road to a dead end private defeat. It is quite challenging for any believer who is living by the guidelines of Scripture and seeking to be holy and in right standing before God to admit he or she is struggling with a private bondage, addiction, or fleshly lust. It is not always pride that prevents a confession, but fear of the reaction of others to the confession. If you were to admit to a spiritual or emotional battle, would you totally trust the ears of the person(s) hearing your confession? Information swirling in the mind can easily be released through loose lips, and important information—especially secret facts—holds certain power with those who know the whole story . A husband may hesitate to confess his infidelity or mental temptations to his companion for fear he will not be forgiven or that his wife may take a permanent walk, passing by the divorce court on the way back to Momma’s house. The public smile is a cover for the pain in the soul that needs healing, but fear locks the door and keeps a tormented soul chained in a mental prison of condemnation. With addictions, there is the fear that exposing the bondage would lead to rehab and only bring a temporary relief, as the addict would eventually return to the same mire from which he or she was pulled. THE WINNER IS . . .