In the past week, I’ve heard Christians say that having a focus on our sinfulness can be morbid and discouraging. While that is true particularly for those who tend to be negative and pessimistic, it seems to me that the opposite extreme is far more dangerous. If I refuse or deny the sin in my life, I will never grow to be more like Jesus. Instead, I will be stuck in bondage to the things in my heart and life that deny His saving power.
When King David was confronted concerning his sin with Bathsheba, he said, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:3) The rest of this psalm is far from morbid or discouraging. It is a strong statement of God's forgiving and cleansing grace.
David also wrote the following psalm that first describes what happens if sin is not acknowledged. He then speaks of the joy that is ours when we take that sin to the Lord:
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:1–11)I’ve been mildly rebuked for defining sin as simply going my own way and not listening to God or regarding His wisdom. Many will define sin in degrees, even say, “But I have not murdered anyone” or done something illegal or disgusting. However, just going my own way involves listening to and following the world, the flesh, and/or the devil. Some of that can be subtle because it involves motivations rather than actions, particularly if the actions themselves seem innocent. For instance, I could take a pie next door to welcome a new neighbor — or to show off my baking skills. One is love; the other is pride and even that “love” could be pride if I brag about it.
Sin is subtle. Yet God does not leave it to me to examine my every thought, word, or deed. He does that. He will show me what needs to be confessed and cleansed. This part of being saved and sanctified is up to Him, not up to self-examination or what some call morbid navel-gazing. My part is listening and being honest with Him as He teaches me. It is also vital that I do as David did — praising God for His grace and for taking care of me, transforming my life, and not allowing sin to make me its slave.
PRAY: Jesus, confessing sin is humbling, yet You want humility, not pride. Admitting failure is not popular, but You want integrity, not hypocrisy. Your values are not the world’s values, and Your ways are so much higher than ours. Keep my focus on You, even when I’ve let myself slide back into the bondage of sin and need to again rely on Your grace and saving power. Far better to do that than any alternatives!
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