Newsboys - God Is Not a Secret Lyrics
Lyrics
You don't understand
This is not what you think it is
You don't get it, man
You want to boil it down to show biz
Your in-depth research shows:
Drop the God, emphasize the beat
I've heard that positive pop you dig
I'd rather be buried in wet concrete
Take back your free advice
I don't accept
I will not play those games
God is not a secret to be kept
God is not a secret to be kept
You don't understand
I'm not talking multiple choice
You don't get it, man
If the cross offends you, find another voice
I am not running for office here
I won't keep it purposefully vague
I've heard New Age Life-force trip
I'd rather be dipped in bubonic plague
Take back your free advice
I don't accept
I will not play those games
God is not a secret to be kept
God is not a secret to be kept
Faith ain't easy to understand
When a bird in the bush beats two in the hand
The truth ain't nothing you taste and hide
You gotta get up, put up, get off your backside
If we keep silent
If we mass defect
These very rocks will scream
God is not a secret to be kept
God is not a secret to be kept
And would I wash my hands again?
Would I deny my savior when
He hung inside the public square?
Did not my silence put him there?
Video
God Is Not A Secret
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on October 24, 2000, as part of the "Shine...The Hits" album, Newsboys' "God Is Not a Secret" arrives as a powerful, unapologetic anthem, a direct challenge to any temptation to dilute or privatize the Christian faith. This track isn't just another song; it’s a statement of conviction, a refusal to compromise the core message of the Gospel for popularity or convenience. The band, known for their energetic blend of pop-rock and profound spiritual themes, here delivers a message that cuts straight to the heart of what it means to truly follow Christ in a world that often demands silence or conformity.
The song immediately establishes its confrontational stance, addressing those who might suggest softening the Christian message to appeal to a wider audience, urging one to "drop the God, emphasize the beat." This critique is aimed squarely at the pressure to transform authentic faith into something more palatable, a kind of "positive pop" devoid of its challenging truths. The lyrics express a stark preference for genuine hardship over such superficiality, rejecting the notion that God's truth can be repackaged for commercial gain. This perspective aligns deeply with biblical calls for authenticity and a refusal to compromise the Gospel, much like Paul's declaration in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." The central refrain, "God is not a secret to be kept," rings out as a definitive declaration, echoing the call to open proclamation that Jesus Himself issued when He said, "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32).
As the song progresses, it continues to dismantle the idea of a watered-down faith. The refusal to engage in "multiple choice" spirituality or to keep the message "purposefully vague" directly confronts the tendency to make Christianity less offensive. The blunt assertion, "If the cross offends you, find another voice," underscores a crucial biblical truth: the cross is indeed a stumbling block to some, and foolishness to others, yet to believers, it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). The lyrics firmly reject syncretism, comparing "New Age Life-force trip" to the dreaded "bubonic plague," emphasizing an uncompromising commitment to the unique truth of Christ. This unwavering focus mirrors the apostle Paul's resolve in Philippians 3:7-8, where he counted everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. The song challenges listeners to embrace the distinctiveness of their faith, rather than blurring its lines with other spiritualities.
The bridge section shifts to acknowledge the demanding nature of faith, remarking that "Faith ain't easy to understand / When a bird in the bush beats two in the hand." This imagery speaks to the counter-cultural act of trusting in unseen promises over immediate, tangible gains, a core tenet of biblical faith (Hebrews 11:1). It then pivots to a powerful call for action, asserting that "The truth ain't nothing you taste and hide / You gotta get up, put up, get off your backside." This line is a vibrant exhortation against spiritual apathy and a challenge to actively embody and articulate one's beliefs, a sentiment powerfully articulated in James 2:17, which states that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." True faith demands engagement, not passive observation.
The song culminates in a stark warning against silence and inaction. The profound image, "If we keep silent / If we mass defect / These very rocks will scream," directly references Luke 19:40, where Jesus declared that if His disciples were to remain quiet, the stones themselves would cry out. This biblical allusion dramatically underscores the intrinsic necessity of proclaiming God's truth; even creation bears witness if humanity fails. The final lines deliver a piercing self-interrogation: "And would I wash my hands again? / Would I deny my savior when / He hung inside the public square? / Did not my silence put him there?" This powerful reflection connects directly to the historical denials of Peter and the judgment of Pilate, forcing believers to consider the gravity of their own silence. It serves as a potent reminder that Christ's sacrifice was public, and our witness should be too. To remain silent about a publicly crucified and resurrected Savior is, in a profound spiritual sense, to participate in His denial, echoing Mark 8:38 where Jesus warns, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels." "God Is Not a Secret" is ultimately a passionate and inspiring summons for every believer to live out their faith with bold authenticity, refusing to cower or compromise the magnificent truth entrusted to them.