So… it seems odd that I would be recommending a book of fiction.
Frank Peretti’s books are mysterious, dark, exciting, and captivating. Yet, underneath, they always speak of some Biblical truth. God used The Oath, and its underlying message, to teach me a very important lesson: Secrets steal, kill, and destroy.
I believe I read the book in the summer of 2010. At this point in my walk, I’d been forgiven, saved, and baptized. Still, there were memories from my rebellious past about which I’d never spoken. Sure, I had confessed them to the Lord and sincerely repented, but the very thought of my actions would cripple my confidence and ache me so deeply that I almost couldn’t swallow. After reading this book, I was convinced that the remaining power of my past was in the secrecy, and the Lord urged me to confess them out loud to another. So, nervously and emotionally, I told my mom and husband the two most grievous moments of my life, the epitome of my former filth and wretchedness.
When it was over, I felt free.
I believe this is because, even though Jesus had forgiven and cleansed me years prior, my emotional healing hinged upon my obedience to surrender my secrets.
“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to spiritual tone of mind and heart].” James 5:16 (AMP)
Friends, this book is good. And its message is even gooder better. (Ha.) If you need a little excitement, you should take a peek.
PS-I suggest reading this one in the morning, with the lights on. It gets a little scary. 🙂
