Smile, You're on Candid Camera
John D. Telgren

Most of us are probably familiar with the humorous show, Candid Camera. Some recent "victims" of the camera involved people who had taken their car to a parking garage and were waiting for the attendant to bring their car to them. While they were waiting, the sound of screeching tires and a crash came echoing down the parking garage. The facial expressions and responses were of horror, anger and anxiety. One of the "victims" of this humorous hoax looked very angry. He asked the attendant with the clipboard, "What was that!?" The attendant said "Oh, nothing, there's always noises like that in a parking garage." For a moment, it looked like the attendant was about to get his lights punched out. After it was revealed that the "victim" was on Candid Camera, his whole perspective changed. After all, it was a joke and the eyes of America were on him.

If we knew a Camera had its eye on us, would we not be more conscious of how we conduct ourselves? Knowing people are watching often causes us to act a little more kind, quiet and gentle.

That fact of the matter is that there is a "candid camera" (so to speak) on us at all times. "Where can I go from thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there..." (Psalm 139:7-8). "...on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:16); "...God is greater than our heart, and knows all things" (I Jn 3:20)

"Smile, you're on God's Candid Camera!" What impact should this have on us? "Let your speech always be with grace..." (Col 4:6); "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." (Phil 4:8); "I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles..." (I Pet 2:11-12).

There is no such thing as secret sin or secret struggles with God. Repent (Acts 3:19), Confess them, and if you haven't already done so, be Baptized (Acts 22:16) and God will forgive you. God will Strengthen you through his Spirit (Eph. 3:16, Gal. 5:22-23). Remember, God already knows, he has been watching, and he loves you: "If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ... I am writing these things to you that you may not sin, and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (I Jn 1:7 - 2:1).

"Smile, God is watching"