A hidden agenda is something we have in mind that we don’t let on to others. For example, someone can be perfectly sweet to a dying relative with the hidden agenda of making sure they are remembered in the will. An employee can report the faults of others to the boss, to bolster their chances of promotion. Children can be sent to a holiday camp, so the parents get a few days of peace and quiet. We do all sorts of things for reasons we don’t want to let on, such as to save money, make a good impression, bolster our ego, pass a problem off to someone else, avoid conflict, get someone out of our hair, and so on.
King Solomon warned his son of the evil and deceit that can be in people’s hearts.
“Like a shiny glaze on an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. A hateful man disguises himself by his words, but he stores up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.” Prov 26:23-25
In history and in modern times we have abundant examples of insincere people, fake friends, traitors and spies who win the confidence of others only to use them or do them harm.
Modern marketing and modern politics employ ‘spin’, misrepresentation, empty promises, and similar techniques to take advantage of the unwary. Scams and rip-offs abound.
These things come from an evil heart. They reveal selfishness and pride in those who carry these hidden ambitions and plans.
The problem with a hidden agenda is that it is linked to false and insincere things that are unworthy of a child of God. Each hidden agenda is likely linked to some area of selfishness, pride, self-interest, avoiding responsibility and other unworthy or worldly attitudes.
The best thing that can happen is for your ‘hidden’ agendas to be exposed. Of course that might make you blush and feel deeply ashamed, but it might also cause you to repent of the selfish or prideful attitudes that make you scheme to get your way or to serve yourself.
The Apostle Paul was aware of this insincerity in people and he called those who worked with him to be ready to call people up on their failings.
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching.” 2Tim 4:2
“One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith.” Titus 1:12,13
I am not here to rebuke you, but I do want to challenge you. Those secret little schemes in your heart are evil and must be repented of. You need to abandon them and have a clean and pure heart, not given to deception or using others to get your way.
Your ‘hidden’ agendas may end up being exposed, as was the case with Ananias and Sapphira in the early church. They sold land and kept some of the money for themselves, which they were perfectly entitled to do. But they lied about it, so they would seem more generous. They wanted to look good. The Holy Spirit, however, revealed that to Peter and he challenged them, separately, and they both dropped dead on the spot.
“Ananias, how is it Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the money? Wasn’t it yours before it was sold? After it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God! On hearing this, Ananias collapsed and died.” Acts 5:3-5
That’s a terrible way to be found out. And a terrible cost for a secret agenda. May you never face such judgement. However, it points to the fact that deceit in your heart is a deadly thing. All those hidden agendas and deceitful ways, trying to look like something you are not, secretly hoping for an advantage, taking advantage of others or doing them harm they don’t realise, and all such things, are an evil in your heart and life.
My prayer for you, for your good, even if you don’t like it, is that all your agendas get exposed. Exposed agendas will stop you from pursuing them. Exposing your agendas will humble you and prompt you to repent. Exposing your agendas will reveal the true state of your heart, and make you face the evil within you that you need to repent of and be set free from.
I call you to test your own heart and repent of the evil you find.
“Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the Lord.” Lam 3:40
King David knew he not only had his own hidden agendas, but even evil motives he wasn’t aware of. He prayed to God to expose those things.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps 139:23,24
“Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” Ps 19:12
“Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” Ps 26:2
By your own repentance and by God’s searching of your heart may your hidden evils become Exposed Agendas and may you be set free from them all.
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