Facing Sin With Wisdom

*The following post was originally written as a meditation for our Confession of Sin during Lord’s Day worship.

Confession of Sin

Acknowledging our guilt, resting in His grace.

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy, (Proverbs 28:13).

In the simplest of terms, this verse teaches us what it looks like to deal with our sin wisely.

It teaches us plainly that the person who is dealing wisely with God is not the one who ignores their sin or pretends to be better than they are, but rather deals honestly with the reality of their brokenness and depravity.

By implication, this means that dealing with our sin in any other way makes us less than wise; it makes us foolish.

We are told that a wise dealing with sin involves three essential things:

1. Do not attempt to hide your sins from God.

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper…”

2. In humility, openly confess your sins to God.

“…but he who confesses...”

3. Hate your sins; war against them; forsake them.

“...and forsakes them…”

According to God, this is not only the path of wisdom, this is the path of eternal life. This is the person who “…will obtain mercy.”

And lest you think your sins are too many to be forgiven in Christ, notice another truth which this verse clearly communicates. God speaks not of a “sin” that you have committed (singular), but of “sins” (plural), and of openly confessing all of “them” (plural) to him as an ongoing part of the Christian’s life.

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy, (Proverbs 28:13).

Let us not be foolish but wise, beloved. Let us confess our sins and find God’s promised mercy. Let us forsake our sin and cling to Christ. To do anything else is to choose a path that Scripture declares “will not prosper” the soul.

(A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION) — We invite you to privately confess your sins before the Lord now.

Assurance of God’s Forgiveness

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls, (I Peter 2:24-25).