He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. (Proverbs 28:13)
All of us want to be liked, well thought of. If we are not careful, we will give a better impression of ourselves than is really true. Our driving desire is to be loved by others, and we think the road to this acceptance is to act like we have no problems. Because of this desire, our natural tendency is to cover and hide our sins and failures. When we need to be transparent and honest, we usually conceal or blame others.
God is honest. We are made in His image, and He wants us to be honest also. Our dishonesty is usually based on a vain desire to preserve or build a reputation at all costs. And God will not honor this. He cannot because it is not like Him … and He is in the process of conforming us to the image of His Son.
And He also knows that our security and joy comes from knowing and believing the “love God has for us.” Experiencing His perfect love “casts our fear.” (Study 1 John 4:16-18). But to constantly seek man’s approval is a never-ending vain pursuit.
To confess our sins is to agree with God about where we really are. It’s the humility that admits our sin and acknowledges our need. And the Lord calls for more than honesty. He wants us to “forsake our sin.” To see that what we are doing is wrong and harmful and then to cry out to Him for help with a willingness to walk away. To repent. To turn.
Confession is a step of humility, and God “gives grace to the humble” but “resists the proud” (James 4:6). If we admit our sin and need, God turns on the Divine supply of grace … His Divine attribute that provides the desire and power to obey. If we want to cover and hide, we’re on our own. No grace. No empowering.
We will find compassion if we “confess and forsake” our sins. The Lord loves us, and His convicting hand is His loving hand, designed to pressure us to release what is hurting us and others. He will rush to our aid if we get transparent with Him and others.
Are there sins that you are covering and hiding? Areas where you are receiving no enabling grace and can’t seem to overcome because you are trying to overcome them on your own? Are you willing to forsake all known sin for the greater joy of walking in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit?
It’s time to get honest—not next week, but today. God’s grace and compassion is waiting for you, but you must cooperate with Him in transparency and confession.
