Old Testament characters didn't know their words and actions were being recorded for all mankind to read and evaluate.
If Jonah had known ... would he have gotten on that ship?
If David had known ... would he have taken Bathsheba?
If Joseph's brothers had known ... would they have sold him into slavery?
If Moses had known ... would he have killed the Egyptian?
If Sarah had known ... would she have lied to God?
Even though, as far as we know, our words and actions aren't being recorded for posterity, I think we forget that someone is always watching us. II Chronicles 16:9 says,
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
After a very long list of faithful people, Hebrews 12:1 says they are "a cloud of witnesses."
Not only that, but people around you are watching you. Your children watch you. Your neighbors watch you. Your siblings, parents, friends... they all watch you. Everything they see in you is measured by a standard, and we all fail. But our goal is to be able to say with Paul (I Corinthians 11:1),
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
