There was a spirit of light-hearted anticipation in the group. They exchanged pleasantries and engaged in social courtesies until the host began to dim the lights to set the mood for the meeting.

   The facilitator indicated her desire to structure the time in a particular direction, and the small group of both men and women allowed her to set the parameters of their social activity. Her intent was obvious. She wanted everyone to shed their social inhibitions and discard personal privacy in order to reveal themselves to one another. Openness and personal exposure were explained as having cathartic value for the entire group. Everyone present was cautioned of the dangers of hiding the "real you." Such concealment was explained as a form of "hypocrisy," unbefitting of those who would pursue genuine personal and social consciousness, and contrary to the virtues of honesty, openness and freedom.

   To begin with there was a hesitancy on the part of the participants to be the first to "open up." One of the more out-going personalities in the group first risked personal exposure, and the others observed with rapt attention. Then, one after another, they began to drop their inhibitions, to reveal more and more, until they were exposing themselves completely, unashamedly baring all in the belief that this was in their own best interest and a healthy expression of socialization. Little did they realize the dangers inherent in such public exposure and the liberties that might be taken in violation of the trust and confidentiality expressed so assuredly at the moment.
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   When Christians are not careful to understand the parameters of "confessing their faults one to another," and allow what should be kept private to become public, they engage in what is akin to "spiritual striptease" or "religious exhibitionism." This has often happened in the context of what are called "prayer and share" groups, with underlying misconceptions of "group therapy."

   There are some things that are private matters between you and "the lover of your soul," and they ought not to be publicly exposed. God knows our private defects, for "all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13).

   We are not obliged to reveal the "secrets of our innermost being" to the entire community, and must recognize the dangerous temptations created in so doing.