Recently, Brian Williams – a news anchor for “NBC Nightly News” – was found out for lying about the details of an experience he had reporting overseas during the war in Iraq. Upon his arrival from reporting, Williams had many things to say about his dangerous experience, none of which were corroborated by those who were with him. Years passed without any conflict until recently his story was debunked by a reporter, and some who were with him. Williams has admitted to the differences in his supposed experience he shared, and the actual account. Further investigation has been initiated to find the truth. Meanwhile, other experiences Williams has shared are being questioned as to whether they are true. His reputation has been tainted, and he is the butt of many jokes. Brian Williams is a prime example of what not to do.

This is yet another situation that could have been avoided by remembering Bible doctrine. When the children of Gad and Reuben came to Moses with the request to stay east of the Jordan at the land of Jazer and Gilead, Moses said by doing so they would “discourage the heart of the children of Israel” (Numbers 32:7). They responded with the assurance that they would arm themselves and fight until Israel had received their inheritance (cf. Numbers 32:16-19). Moses told them if they did this they would be blameless before the Lord. However, he warned that if they failed, they had sinned against God, and their sin would find them out (cf. Numbers 32:23). This concept rings true in every instance of sin.

There are countless examples in scripture of individuals attempting to hide, or get away with sin. They always fail. From Adam and Eve (cf. Genesis 3) to Ananias and Sapphira (cf. Acts 5), God was always aware of sins committed against Him. It may be true that we can hide our sins, and deceive other people, but God is always aware. The Hebrew writer penned, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). It is folly to hide sin from God – the omniscient, and omnipresent.

Brian Williams decided to fabricate an erroneous story for reasons that can only be speculated. It can be certain that he wholeheartedly regrets his actions. While for a time his reputation was boosted, it is ultimately damaged, and likely irreparable. We must remember that God knows all things (cf. Hebrews 4:12-13), and that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Sin will be committed (cf. Romans 3:23). For the unbeliever, God would have him to believe the word he has been taught (cf. Romans 10:17; Mark 16:16), repent of his sins (cf. Acts 2:38), be baptized into Christ (cf. 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:26-29), and to continue to hold his confession (cf. Hebrews 10:23). For the believer, God would have him to repent of, and confess, his sins (cf. 1 John 1:9), and pray to Him for forgiveness (cf. James 5:15-16). The Lord does not want us to hide our sins, or try to get away with them. For, “your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).