He shall have mercy, instant reconciliation. (Joshua 7:21, 25), David concealed his sins of adultery Bathsheba and murder of Uriah for almost nine months which undoubtedly deceived him into thinking he had "gotten away with it"! Our sin must be confessed as a great evil. The further we advance, the deeper will be the tone of confession. Beware, oh! It is unpardoned sins which withhold good things from us (Jer. 1: 4; Jer. But God hath set forth Christ Jesus to be a propitiation a word which denotes the mercy-seat the lid that covered the stone slabs on which the finger of God had written the Law. Love of holinessa delight in the law of God after the inner man. It is not your experience also?) All these attempted transfers are vain coverings. Or shall he challenge the equity of the statute while he is arraigned for violating it? Illustration of the Danger of Concealing Our Sins - Certain great iron castings have been ordered for a railway-bridge. It was mercy. Fight the good fight of the faith. (Proverbs 28:13 Commentary). (Ps 1:3-note). Somehow he had separated his ongoing sexual sin from his responsibilities and duties as a man of God. Reprinted by permission. Ah! Selah. You cannot regulate his jaws: neither can you regulate sin. Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy. It was divine mercy that wrought in him such a happy temper. But the passage is not dealing with the subject of confession in general., There is nothing in the Bible that tells the Christian to make public confession of his sins, or to confess his sins to any human being, merely in order that justice may be satisfied and the sin be made known to another. The hounds of justice, swift of scent and strong of limb, are on your trail. IS INHERITED FROM ADAM. Comment: If our confession be personal and particular, offered sincerely from the heart to God, He will completely and graciously pardon and purify us. I failed on this one often and even did so within the last hour! In the process of casting, through some defect in the mould, portions of air lurk in the heart of the iron, and cavities like those of a honey-comb are formed in the interior of the beam; but a whole skin covers all the surface, and the flaws are effectually concealed. Each sin leaves a trail. In Pr 28:13 the writer urges the path of forsaking transgressions. Allwill not sin on abalconybut perhapsthey willsin behind thecurtain! They reveal moredeceit and atheism. Anyone who confesses and forsakes his sins has the assurance that God not only forgives but forgets (Heb 10:17-note). A truly good man will be tender towards every ones failings but his own. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me. All of us struggle with sin. So there may come a crash to your character precisely in that place where you sinned when yet a lad. Don't be so sure that the lapse of time will consign your faults and follies to oblivion. The Septuagint (Lxx) translates "confesses" with an interesting verb exegeomai (English = exegesis = unfolding interpretation thru teaching) which has the idea of unfolding, declaring thoroughly and particularly even as an excellent teacher is to make known the meaning of a passage. You can mark it down as a maxim that sin always ruins where it reigns -- it reigns when it is unconfessed and is "dethroned" when it is confessed! One reason is because of the failure to realize the destructive nature of sin, either because there is insufficient knowledge of God's standard or there is failure to do what we know we should (James 4:17) or the fact that sin is inherently deceptive, so the person is not even aware that they are sinning. (Josh 1:5) No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. When confession to God has been made, then confession of that sin need not be made to any human being unless some one has been defrauded or injured by our sin and our confession to that one will help to undo the injury or make good the loss. This is a reasonable principle: confess a sin to any one who will be injured, defrauded, or wronged in some way if that confession is withheld. He who covers his sins will not prosper,
I am planning on chronicling my confessions daily because even as I wrote these notes I realized I went to sleep last night without confessing several very glaring "bouts of unholy behavior"! Admit you are a sinner, say what is wrong and then come to Him and name it. What is mankind that you are mindful of them. There are two kinds of forgiveness, judicial and parental. (Ed: We cover our sins by making excuses for them and by refusing to come to the light where they may be exposed. Not for confession, nor for reformation, but in connection with them, we find pardon by faith in the blood of Jesus.
Concealing sin is folly for it results in living a lie much of the time, it precludes forgiveness (1John 1:9), it causes estrangement from God (Ps 66:18), it produces inner turmoil and spiritual "dehydration" (Psalm 32:4, 5), and finally concealed sin leads to festering sin and also to repeated sins. Nowhere is special pleading more cunningly employed to make the worse appear the better reason . But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. All the wiles of the tempter and all the faculties of his slave are devoted to the work of weaving a curtain thick enough to cover an unclean conscience from the eye of God. This involves the heart and the will (Ed: The Lord will not despise a broken and contrite heart - this is the heart that is willing to confess! Reprinted by permission. Reprinted by permission. SAVIOR COVERED! Every moment of unconfessed sin adds to its burden and guilt.
Romans 7:22; Psalm 119:140. Illustration: A nice Christian family joined the church by letter from another city. The hand of God was sore at Ekron, because of the ark; and a heavy hand in resemblance, because when men smite they lay their hand heavier than ordinary. For sins to come here's pardon too.
", He responded, "Let's talk to the Lord about it.". We misinterpret His dealings; think harshly of His ways; and if providences are dark, and afflictions come, in a moment we exclaim, "I have sinned, and God is angry." If you are prospering, then it is because you are not covering your own sins in marriage, but rather the sins of the other. The truth of Pr 28:13 is that confessing your sins is no substitute for forsaking them. What a cover must that be which hides away forever from the sight of the all seeing God all the filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit! 17:16; Ezra 9:10; Jer. Could you help me? 7:9, 10. You know that it is foolish to hide a sin in the heart of the iron. The charity we exercise towards others is, however, very different from those excuses which we are too apt to form for ourselves. Though sin is in himhe is troubled at itand would gladly get rid of it. Ezra Albert Barnes convicts us all with his wise comment that. If they would confess it to their God, and make restitution to those whom they have offended, they would soon come to peace; but they vainly hope that they can cover the sin, and hide it from the eyes of God and man. But there are two time limits that the Bible provides. (New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. God unseen rewards the search of those who seek Him; sin unseen punishes the neglect of those who seek it not. Another pause is needed, for the matter is not such as may be hurried over. Thus I have gone through a rough, not very accurate, list of the ways by which men hope to cover their sin, but they "shall not prosper." Whoso covereth the smallest sin, shall not prosper. They suspect that the knowledge would not be pleasant and therefore keep it out of the way. Thomas Taylor on the "heavy" hand of Jehovah: A correcting hand, whereby God scourges and buffets his own children. god bridge jesus through way man salvation christ cross law payment sins gap john christian because separates father alone bridged Have they prospered? The repentant man no longer hugs the chains that bind him but longs for full deliverance from them. Zechariah We must make a clean breast of it and plead guilty to the indictment. Maintenance: It is always preferable to have a fence at the top of the cliff instead of parking an ambulance at the bottom. Try it FREE! A godly man enters his protest against sin: "Oh,what a miserable person I am! "If I regard iniquity in my heartthe Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18), prayer is then futile. Confide not in them for a moment. Forgiveness to bestow; Deuteronomy To leave or forsake in the sense of putting aside physical and psychological dependence is given a special significance in Gen. 2:24, which describes the essence of a rightly-ordered marriage that a man leave his father and mother and be united with his wife. The very pardon of his sin stamps it upon his memory.
Jude The strong man armed who maintains possession of the citadel puts forth all his strength to prevent the entrance of a stronger One. "Just the natural tendency of the tongue to exaggerate," replied the dentist with a twinkle in his eye. We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. he said, "Thy servant went no whither." It was because it lay so near that he failed to observe it. But such is the folly of many sinners, that they would rather hide their sins from their own eyes, and, if possible, from the eyes of God, than receive mercy under the character of sinners.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. The mercy is ready; but the sinner must sue it out--"Only acknowledge thine iniquity." He that hideth his great trespasses, shall not be made rightful; but he that acknowledgeth and forsaketh them, shall get mercy. Not only was the sin itself pardoned, but the iniquity of it; the virus of its guilt was put away, and that at once, so soon as the acknowledgment was made.
He comes to God with real concern about his unholy ways, thoughts, and words, earnestly seeking grace to cease from them and to walk uprightly before the Lord. Remember that concealing the sin involves rationalizing it in order to avoid confessing it, whereas confession involves naming the particular sin and "owning" it as your own despite the pain and shame it causes your heart! Thank You Father for not giving us what we deserve but instead providing for us what we don't deserve the Way of escape in the wilderness of this wanton wasting world Forgiveness of our abominable sins through the shed blood of the Holy Lamb of God. Beloved we need to be aware that unconfessed sin and lack of prosperity is an immutable divine principle, for far too often we still think that we can defy God's call to confession and escape the consequences!
The oil was almost gone from the lamp of life, and the flame flickered as though it would soon expire. When the soul determines to lay low and plead guilty, absolution is near at hand; hence we read. Through my roaring all the day long. Their story does not hang together. As he was escorted into a cell of his own making, the contractor said, I never dreamed when I built this prison that I would be an inmate one day. (cp Nu 32:23). Proverbs 28:13. Ecclesiastes
Yet men invariably avoid speaking out frankly with a confession of their true state and actions. Conscience bears witness to the truth, that no man takes harm but from himself. (Ge 3:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), Comment: Sin made Adam and Eve seek to hide from God. Exodus Thomas Sherman comments: This (1Jn 1:9) is a Scripture which many stumble atas if a bare confession was enough. (Nehemiah 2:20), David knew the truth of Pr 28:13 from his experience writing. you are a harmless innocent victim of circumstances! Another evil that results from sin unconfessed is the hardening tendency it produces upon the conscience. God and man each cover sin; God in free unbounded grace (Isa 43:25, 44:22); man, in shame and hypocrisy. (Ru 2:16-note) Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her., (Ru 2:20-note) Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, May he be blessed of the LORD who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead. Again Naomi said to her, The man is our relative, he is one of our closest relatives.. 2 Kings Psalm 85:2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. God needs not confession for His own information. Be he ever so poor, or sick, or sorrowful, he is blessed in very deed. The most of his power is, that he is a tempter (Mt 4:3, 1Th 3:5). (Achan when confronted by Joshua said) when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed (Heb = taman = hide something so that it cannot be found; Lxx = krupto = to keep secret, to hide, English ~ cryptic) in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it." If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Guilt upon the conscience, sin unconfessed, imparts misty, gloomy, distorted views of God. People suspect that it's not true, and they lose confidence in me. Compare Psalm 51:3; Jer. Confess it to the Lord and experience His mercy, love, and grace. Unconfessed sin in the heart of a believer is like a worm at the root of prosperity. The practice of idolatry as an inevitable consequence of abandoning God is cited in Jdg 2:12, 13; 10:6; 1Sa. Comment: It is worth noting that Daniel gives five descriptions of sin against God!
Surely you do not think that the sin of my far-off days will be brought out against me? Nothing is more widely diffused or more constantly near us than atmospheric air; yet few ever notice its existence, and fewer consider its nature. It cannot then pollute the life; and it will not then remain an element of treasured wrath. Confesses (03034)(yadah - see word study) is used in the OT to acknowledge or confess sin, God's character and works, or man's character. Compare Ezek. The lapse of time cannot. (Job 40:4, 42:6, Ezek 16:63) The moment sin is seen to be sin, let it be laid on the Surety's Head. (Proverbs 28:13 Commentary). This verse is divided to our hand. (Is 55:7). You may and must use every method of inducing him to say this; but he must be brought to say it, before it is right to pronounce the gracious formula of absolution. (Proverbs 28:13 Commentary), John Gill explains that the man who covers his sin, shall not prosper in soul or body, in things temporal or spiritual; he shall not have peace of mind and conscience, but, sooner or later, shall feel the stings.
They are provocations to God, because He is mocked and insulted by such deceitful professions. (Jdg 2:12-note) and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. J Vernon McGee - This is a great proverb. Some plead their weakness, and the circumstances in which they were placed. In the street each day it makes one's soul sad to see them. But what shall we say of those who confess their sins, like Pharaoh, and again return to the practice of them? He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, and that brings joy to our heart fellowship is re-established, oneness is the order once again. Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to stray! I pray thee resort not to such a covering as this, because, while it is utterly useless, it adds sin to sin, and exposes thee to fresh shame. 3:8. True confession is made to God . God looked upon our race with an eye of compassion and provided us effectual relief. The right spring of mercy is a sense of God's mercy; it is a thank-offering, not a sin-offering. It is the one who sides with God and condemns himself who is justified from all things When a man attempts to cover his own sin, he adds to the dreadful list, for he is refusing to obey the command that goes out to all men everywhere calling on them to repent. What advantageth it you to plead "not guilty," when he has witnessed your crime? Reprinted by permission. The dentist examined the man's teeth and said, "It'll only be a small filling." For if we try to cover them Wounds cannot be healed until they are revealed and sins cannot be forgiven until they are confessed. Other reasons might be because one feels it is too painful to face the dishonor and shame or there is too much pleasure for one to give it up or there is too much pride to admit sin as sin.
Cp Job 31:33; Aaron, Ex 32:21-24; Saul, 1Sa 15:20, 21; Pilate, Mt 27:24-26). (Joshua 1:8-note), And he (he whose delight is the Law of the LORD and who meditates on it day and night) will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers (tsalach/salach). --Sibbes, When you have committed a specific sin against God, be sure to specifically confess that sin. The running sore must be exposed to the Physician's eye, since every rag put over it to hide it becomes steeped in its defiling tides. (John Frame). Jonah But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. (Jdg 10:10-note) Then the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, We have sinned against You, for indeed, we have forsaken our God and served the Baals.. Sins concealed by men There is no sin worthy of separating us from our Father.
Few people know what sin is; and those few do not know it well. The Father of our spirits permits the child to approach himself on such an errand: and the offspring man has faculties fitted for converse with God a spirit. "He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy."
Confession is a continuous experience with the Christian. A simple-minded disciple once said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us." Below are some other related resources on the critically important topic of unforgiveness, a sin I fear is being "epidemically" concealed in the lives of many of God's children, Someone has well said that a "little" unconfessed sin will add to your trouble, subtract from your energy and multiply your difficulties. but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. The imaginations of man's heart, evil themselves, are constantly employed like clouds of artisans in weaving webs to cover other evils. Comp. It is so now! The vilest class attempt to cover their sins by glorying in them. When he was brought to trial, he told the judge, After living with this thing hanging over my head for 40 some years, it got heavier and heavier until I just couldnt stand it any longer. What a clear illustration that guilt is inescapable! That would be a stain on their reputation. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. While they were rushing over the fallen walls of Jericho, amidst the debris and the dust, he might be unmolested; and then, in the dead of night, while they slept, he turned the sod of his tent, dug into the earth, and buried there his coveted treasure. And who is there that does not desire to have this question satisfactorily treated, and, if possible, settled? How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! The Lord pleaded with His people through the prophet Jeremiah, trying to get them to see where they had been unfaithful. The unbelieving world had another excuse to demean biblical Christianity. We have read of men talking in their sleep to their fellows, and babbling out in their dreams the crime they had committed years before. "I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." It has brought misery and woe into our world, that might have been a lower heaven, if we had not revolted from God and destroyed ourselves by our iniquity. Who will free mefrom this life that is dominated by sin?" You would not have me point you out for all the world, nor shall I do so. Butthe sins of the heartare as visible to God, as if they were written upon the forehead! Believe me, however, the sin is known. However, the truth is that we would never choose to confess our transgressions if God's Spirit in us would not be at work to will and work to His good pleasure. When was the last evening you confessed your transgressions of that day (you did have some didn't you?) After long lingering, the broken heart bethought itself of what it ought to have done at the first, and laid bare its bosom before the Lord. "But whoever confesses and forsakes them [however heinous or numerous] shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). You may put your head in and out a great many times; but one of these days it will be a costly venture. " 1 Samuel He shall not succeed in his endeavour to cover his sin, for it will be discovered, sooner or later. But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. "He knows the secrets of everyheart," Psalm 44:21. These attempts however to cover sin shall not prosper. Neither can stand alone. The dogs of judgment will be sure to scent it out, and find their prey. By pretext and presence, apology and self-vindication, they acquit themselves of all criminality, and put a fine gloss upon every foul delinquency. By the atoning sacrifice which was presented by the Lord Jesus. "Aye," says another, "I am gray-headed now. Some cover by secrecy and some by falsehood. Cost you more than you ever dreamed you would pay! R F Horton - Sin is formless, vague, impalpable. If no severe pressure come to test the spurious goodness within the limits of this life, it may hold together until it be out of sight in the grave. 2:17). The artisan has covered his fault, but he will not prosper. To leave; to withdraw from; to fail. The first reaction of sinful man was to hide his sin from God! ", Boice "It refers to crossing a forbidden boundary with the thought that this is a serious rebellion.". It so happened that more than forty years afterwards he went into that garden after a storm had blown across it in the night, and he found that the tree had been riven in two, and it had snapped precisely in the place where he had broken it when it was but a sapling. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. The truths about God's racham should stimulate in His children a desire to seek to imitate His tender feelings of compassion to those who don't necessarily deserve our compassion but who are in need of it. See the figures! First and last the mercy is divine. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Wretched the men who bury their secrets in their own bosom.
How it provokes God, thatmen's atheism should give the lie to His omniscience! And Ananias said, "Yea, for so much." have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Thy commandments and ordinances. That infallible Eye which never mistakes is never closed. 6:13; Ezra 9: 9; Isa. The penitence of sinners did not make God gracious. 16:63. Illustration: In a conservative southern church, the pastor's wife found pornography on her husband's computer. Alas! Joshua Love does the latter! ", SIN BRINGS FEAR (Ps 32)
Jesus is in heaven today as our Advocate--as a Lawyer before the Father. Laws which you see in operation will avenge the trick The case belongs to matter and its essential properties. Oh! The contractor constructs his moulds according to the specifications, and when all is ready pours in the molten metal . It is utter spiritual insanity! For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The burden is still on him. Sin is confessed, forsaken, forgiven; so lie the links of this short chain. He who confesses and forsakes his sins shall find compassion (mercy). It is the custom of the trade. (Pr 15:3) And not even from one's self for conscience is always aware of the offense against God whether it is acknowledged as such or not. Confession brings release, freedom, forgiveness and a new beginning. The man who has been foully slandered will rejoice in the light that reflects his purity. Luke It pervades humanity, but in proportion to its profusion men are blind to its presence. The former damages directly, and the latter damages by petty insult. Entanglement by the Cords of one's own Sin - Not long after a wealthy contractor had finished building the Tombs prison in New York, he was found guilty of forgery and sentenced to several years in the prison he had built! We have sinned and done wrong. To hear from God's own Spirit the words, "absolvo te" is joy unspeakable. The strain which will try every man's work is put on there. Secondly, 1Co 11:23-33 admonishes us to examine ourselves before we partake of Communion. He urged them to stop running from what they had done and to admit their sin (Jer 3:13). Those who cover their sins shall not prosper ; for it is impossible to cover them from the eye of our Judge, and to endeavor to shelter ourselves under coverings that are not of his spirit, is an additional provocation to the eyes of his glory. This is an understatement (a figure of speech known as tapeinosis); the opposite is the truth, that eventually such a person will be undone and ruined This verse is unique in the book of Proverbs; it captures the theology of forgiveness (e.g., Ps 32 and Ps 51). Joel He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, 2 Thessalonians See to it that you keep short accounts with God, penitently owning unto Him every known fault, if you would not miss His best. When sin is cast out of the heart, it neither works any more as a ruling power in the man's members, nor lies as condemning guilt in the book of God. There is no small degree of criminality about such an unrighteous defense. We cannot remain in rebellion and yet dwell with the Kings Majesty. More commonly, but most wrongfully, it is laid upon Satan (Ge 3:13). Prospers (06743)(tsalach/salah - see word study) means to succeed or to cause to turn out successfully (Ge 24:21, 40),means to accomplish satisfactorily what is intended = generally expresses idea of a successful venture, as contrasted with failure. That is the essential seal of every true confession: "Whoever confesses and forsakes" his transgressions. No sin can be hidden from God. God, as Jesus shows Him to us,"God is love." A trifle becomes a tell-tale. There is only one way in which transgressions can be covered: that of which the psalmist speaks, when he says, Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, whose sin is covered, because hidden under the propitiation of the blood. This is the clear condition. (Deut 28:29), Meditation (see also Primer on Biblical Meditation) on the Word of God is clearly linked with genuine prosperity in Joshua and Psalms -, This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous (tsalach/salach), and then you will have success. Don't sweep sin under the rug. Then the prophet told him that the leprosy of Naaman should cleave to him all the days of his life. God's finger can crush us -- what must His hand be, and that pressing heavily and continuously! If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy. Ezekiel The thickness has been calculated according to the extent of the span and the weight of the load. H A Ironside writes that: The greatest mistake a soul can be guilty of is to attempt to cover sin and transgression. Augustine comments: Each man's sin is the instrument of his punishment, and his iniquity is turned into his torment. A total of 18 percent of clergy said they visit sexually explicit Web sites between a couple of times a month and more than once a week. The modern theology uses much ingenious argumentation which tries to make out of sin something else; speaks of it as a mere defect, as if it were some kind of a taint in the blood, a hereditary and therefore unavoidable weakness, something for which man is not responsible (Contrast David's acknowledgement of personal responsibility in Ps 51 "my transgressions my iniquity my sin" Ps 51:1, 2). Cover (for clothing or secrecy). Certain great iron castings have been ordered for a railway-bridge. First of all, the confession of the sinner did not provide the mercy of God.
Concealing sin is folly for it results in living a lie much of the time, it precludes forgiveness (1John 1:9), it causes estrangement from God (Ps 66:18), it produces inner turmoil and spiritual "dehydration" (Psalm 32:4, 5), and finally concealed sin leads to festering sin and also to repeated sins. Nowhere is special pleading more cunningly employed to make the worse appear the better reason . But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. All the wiles of the tempter and all the faculties of his slave are devoted to the work of weaving a curtain thick enough to cover an unclean conscience from the eye of God. This involves the heart and the will (Ed: The Lord will not despise a broken and contrite heart - this is the heart that is willing to confess! Reprinted by permission. Reprinted by permission. SAVIOR COVERED! Every moment of unconfessed sin adds to its burden and guilt.
Romans 7:22; Psalm 119:140. Illustration: A nice Christian family joined the church by letter from another city. The hand of God was sore at Ekron, because of the ark; and a heavy hand in resemblance, because when men smite they lay their hand heavier than ordinary. For sins to come here's pardon too.
", He responded, "Let's talk to the Lord about it.". We misinterpret His dealings; think harshly of His ways; and if providences are dark, and afflictions come, in a moment we exclaim, "I have sinned, and God is angry." If you are prospering, then it is because you are not covering your own sins in marriage, but rather the sins of the other. The truth of Pr 28:13 is that confessing your sins is no substitute for forsaking them. What a cover must that be which hides away forever from the sight of the all seeing God all the filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit! 17:16; Ezra 9:10; Jer. Could you help me? 7:9, 10. You know that it is foolish to hide a sin in the heart of the iron. The charity we exercise towards others is, however, very different from those excuses which we are too apt to form for ourselves. Though sin is in himhe is troubled at itand would gladly get rid of it. Ezra Albert Barnes convicts us all with his wise comment that. If they would confess it to their God, and make restitution to those whom they have offended, they would soon come to peace; but they vainly hope that they can cover the sin, and hide it from the eyes of God and man. But there are two time limits that the Bible provides. (New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. God unseen rewards the search of those who seek Him; sin unseen punishes the neglect of those who seek it not. Another pause is needed, for the matter is not such as may be hurried over. Thus I have gone through a rough, not very accurate, list of the ways by which men hope to cover their sin, but they "shall not prosper." Whoso covereth the smallest sin, shall not prosper. They suspect that the knowledge would not be pleasant and therefore keep it out of the way. Thomas Taylor on the "heavy" hand of Jehovah: A correcting hand, whereby God scourges and buffets his own children. god bridge jesus through way man salvation christ cross law payment sins gap john christian because separates father alone bridged Have they prospered? The repentant man no longer hugs the chains that bind him but longs for full deliverance from them. Zechariah We must make a clean breast of it and plead guilty to the indictment. Maintenance: It is always preferable to have a fence at the top of the cliff instead of parking an ambulance at the bottom. Try it FREE! A godly man enters his protest against sin: "Oh,what a miserable person I am! "If I regard iniquity in my heartthe Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18), prayer is then futile. Confide not in them for a moment. Forgiveness to bestow; Deuteronomy To leave or forsake in the sense of putting aside physical and psychological dependence is given a special significance in Gen. 2:24, which describes the essence of a rightly-ordered marriage that a man leave his father and mother and be united with his wife. The very pardon of his sin stamps it upon his memory.
Jude The strong man armed who maintains possession of the citadel puts forth all his strength to prevent the entrance of a stronger One. "Just the natural tendency of the tongue to exaggerate," replied the dentist with a twinkle in his eye. We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. he said, "Thy servant went no whither." It was because it lay so near that he failed to observe it. But such is the folly of many sinners, that they would rather hide their sins from their own eyes, and, if possible, from the eyes of God, than receive mercy under the character of sinners.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. The mercy is ready; but the sinner must sue it out--"Only acknowledge thine iniquity." He that hideth his great trespasses, shall not be made rightful; but he that acknowledgeth and forsaketh them, shall get mercy. Not only was the sin itself pardoned, but the iniquity of it; the virus of its guilt was put away, and that at once, so soon as the acknowledgment was made.
He comes to God with real concern about his unholy ways, thoughts, and words, earnestly seeking grace to cease from them and to walk uprightly before the Lord. Remember that concealing the sin involves rationalizing it in order to avoid confessing it, whereas confession involves naming the particular sin and "owning" it as your own despite the pain and shame it causes your heart! Thank You Father for not giving us what we deserve but instead providing for us what we don't deserve the Way of escape in the wilderness of this wanton wasting world Forgiveness of our abominable sins through the shed blood of the Holy Lamb of God. Beloved we need to be aware that unconfessed sin and lack of prosperity is an immutable divine principle, for far too often we still think that we can defy God's call to confession and escape the consequences!
The oil was almost gone from the lamp of life, and the flame flickered as though it would soon expire. When the soul determines to lay low and plead guilty, absolution is near at hand; hence we read. Through my roaring all the day long. Their story does not hang together. As he was escorted into a cell of his own making, the contractor said, I never dreamed when I built this prison that I would be an inmate one day. (cp Nu 32:23). Proverbs 28:13. Ecclesiastes
Yet men invariably avoid speaking out frankly with a confession of their true state and actions. Conscience bears witness to the truth, that no man takes harm but from himself. (Ge 3:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), Comment: Sin made Adam and Eve seek to hide from God. Exodus Thomas Sherman comments: This (1Jn 1:9) is a Scripture which many stumble atas if a bare confession was enough. (Nehemiah 2:20), David knew the truth of Pr 28:13 from his experience writing. you are a harmless innocent victim of circumstances! Another evil that results from sin unconfessed is the hardening tendency it produces upon the conscience. God and man each cover sin; God in free unbounded grace (Isa 43:25, 44:22); man, in shame and hypocrisy. (Ru 2:16-note) Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her., (Ru 2:20-note) Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, May he be blessed of the LORD who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead. Again Naomi said to her, The man is our relative, he is one of our closest relatives.. 2 Kings Psalm 85:2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. God needs not confession for His own information. Be he ever so poor, or sick, or sorrowful, he is blessed in very deed. The most of his power is, that he is a tempter (Mt 4:3, 1Th 3:5). (Achan when confronted by Joshua said) when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed (Heb = taman = hide something so that it cannot be found; Lxx = krupto = to keep secret, to hide, English ~ cryptic) in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it." If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Guilt upon the conscience, sin unconfessed, imparts misty, gloomy, distorted views of God. People suspect that it's not true, and they lose confidence in me. Compare Psalm 51:3; Jer. Confess it to the Lord and experience His mercy, love, and grace. Unconfessed sin in the heart of a believer is like a worm at the root of prosperity. The practice of idolatry as an inevitable consequence of abandoning God is cited in Jdg 2:12, 13; 10:6; 1Sa. Comment: It is worth noting that Daniel gives five descriptions of sin against God!
Surely you do not think that the sin of my far-off days will be brought out against me? Nothing is more widely diffused or more constantly near us than atmospheric air; yet few ever notice its existence, and fewer consider its nature. It cannot then pollute the life; and it will not then remain an element of treasured wrath. Confesses (03034)(yadah - see word study) is used in the OT to acknowledge or confess sin, God's character and works, or man's character. Compare Ezek. The lapse of time cannot. (Job 40:4, 42:6, Ezek 16:63) The moment sin is seen to be sin, let it be laid on the Surety's Head. (Proverbs 28:13 Commentary). This verse is divided to our hand. (Is 55:7). You may and must use every method of inducing him to say this; but he must be brought to say it, before it is right to pronounce the gracious formula of absolution. (Proverbs 28:13 Commentary), John Gill explains that the man who covers his sin, shall not prosper in soul or body, in things temporal or spiritual; he shall not have peace of mind and conscience, but, sooner or later, shall feel the stings.
They are provocations to God, because He is mocked and insulted by such deceitful professions. (Jdg 2:12-note) and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. J Vernon McGee - This is a great proverb. Some plead their weakness, and the circumstances in which they were placed. In the street each day it makes one's soul sad to see them. But what shall we say of those who confess their sins, like Pharaoh, and again return to the practice of them? He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, and that brings joy to our heart fellowship is re-established, oneness is the order once again. Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to stray! I pray thee resort not to such a covering as this, because, while it is utterly useless, it adds sin to sin, and exposes thee to fresh shame. 3:8. True confession is made to God . God looked upon our race with an eye of compassion and provided us effectual relief. The right spring of mercy is a sense of God's mercy; it is a thank-offering, not a sin-offering. It is the one who sides with God and condemns himself who is justified from all things When a man attempts to cover his own sin, he adds to the dreadful list, for he is refusing to obey the command that goes out to all men everywhere calling on them to repent. What advantageth it you to plead "not guilty," when he has witnessed your crime? Reprinted by permission. The dentist examined the man's teeth and said, "It'll only be a small filling." For if we try to cover them Wounds cannot be healed until they are revealed and sins cannot be forgiven until they are confessed. Other reasons might be because one feels it is too painful to face the dishonor and shame or there is too much pleasure for one to give it up or there is too much pride to admit sin as sin.
Cp Job 31:33; Aaron, Ex 32:21-24; Saul, 1Sa 15:20, 21; Pilate, Mt 27:24-26). (Joshua 1:8-note), And he (he whose delight is the Law of the LORD and who meditates on it day and night) will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers (tsalach/salach). --Sibbes, When you have committed a specific sin against God, be sure to specifically confess that sin. The running sore must be exposed to the Physician's eye, since every rag put over it to hide it becomes steeped in its defiling tides. (John Frame). Jonah But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. (Jdg 10:10-note) Then the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, We have sinned against You, for indeed, we have forsaken our God and served the Baals.. Sins concealed by men There is no sin worthy of separating us from our Father.
Few people know what sin is; and those few do not know it well. The Father of our spirits permits the child to approach himself on such an errand: and the offspring man has faculties fitted for converse with God a spirit. "He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy."
Confession is a continuous experience with the Christian. A simple-minded disciple once said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us." Below are some other related resources on the critically important topic of unforgiveness, a sin I fear is being "epidemically" concealed in the lives of many of God's children, Someone has well said that a "little" unconfessed sin will add to your trouble, subtract from your energy and multiply your difficulties. but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. The imaginations of man's heart, evil themselves, are constantly employed like clouds of artisans in weaving webs to cover other evils. Comp. It is so now! The vilest class attempt to cover their sins by glorying in them. When he was brought to trial, he told the judge, After living with this thing hanging over my head for 40 some years, it got heavier and heavier until I just couldnt stand it any longer. What a clear illustration that guilt is inescapable! That would be a stain on their reputation. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. While they were rushing over the fallen walls of Jericho, amidst the debris and the dust, he might be unmolested; and then, in the dead of night, while they slept, he turned the sod of his tent, dug into the earth, and buried there his coveted treasure. And who is there that does not desire to have this question satisfactorily treated, and, if possible, settled? How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! The Lord pleaded with His people through the prophet Jeremiah, trying to get them to see where they had been unfaithful. The unbelieving world had another excuse to demean biblical Christianity. We have read of men talking in their sleep to their fellows, and babbling out in their dreams the crime they had committed years before. "I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." It has brought misery and woe into our world, that might have been a lower heaven, if we had not revolted from God and destroyed ourselves by our iniquity. Who will free mefrom this life that is dominated by sin?" You would not have me point you out for all the world, nor shall I do so. Butthe sins of the heartare as visible to God, as if they were written upon the forehead! Believe me, however, the sin is known. However, the truth is that we would never choose to confess our transgressions if God's Spirit in us would not be at work to will and work to His good pleasure. When was the last evening you confessed your transgressions of that day (you did have some didn't you?) After long lingering, the broken heart bethought itself of what it ought to have done at the first, and laid bare its bosom before the Lord. "But whoever confesses and forsakes them [however heinous or numerous] shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). You may put your head in and out a great many times; but one of these days it will be a costly venture. " 1 Samuel He shall not succeed in his endeavour to cover his sin, for it will be discovered, sooner or later. But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. "He knows the secrets of everyheart," Psalm 44:21. These attempts however to cover sin shall not prosper. Neither can stand alone. The dogs of judgment will be sure to scent it out, and find their prey. By pretext and presence, apology and self-vindication, they acquit themselves of all criminality, and put a fine gloss upon every foul delinquency. By the atoning sacrifice which was presented by the Lord Jesus. "Aye," says another, "I am gray-headed now. Some cover by secrecy and some by falsehood. Cost you more than you ever dreamed you would pay! R F Horton - Sin is formless, vague, impalpable. If no severe pressure come to test the spurious goodness within the limits of this life, it may hold together until it be out of sight in the grave. 2:17). The artisan has covered his fault, but he will not prosper. To leave; to withdraw from; to fail. The first reaction of sinful man was to hide his sin from God! ", Boice "It refers to crossing a forbidden boundary with the thought that this is a serious rebellion.". It so happened that more than forty years afterwards he went into that garden after a storm had blown across it in the night, and he found that the tree had been riven in two, and it had snapped precisely in the place where he had broken it when it was but a sapling. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. The truths about God's racham should stimulate in His children a desire to seek to imitate His tender feelings of compassion to those who don't necessarily deserve our compassion but who are in need of it. See the figures! First and last the mercy is divine. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Wretched the men who bury their secrets in their own bosom.
How it provokes God, thatmen's atheism should give the lie to His omniscience! And Ananias said, "Yea, for so much." have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Thy commandments and ordinances. That infallible Eye which never mistakes is never closed. 6:13; Ezra 9: 9; Isa. The penitence of sinners did not make God gracious. 16:63. Illustration: In a conservative southern church, the pastor's wife found pornography on her husband's computer. Alas! Joshua Love does the latter! ", SIN BRINGS FEAR (Ps 32)
Jesus is in heaven today as our Advocate--as a Lawyer before the Father. Laws which you see in operation will avenge the trick The case belongs to matter and its essential properties. Oh! The contractor constructs his moulds according to the specifications, and when all is ready pours in the molten metal . It is utter spiritual insanity! For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The burden is still on him. Sin is confessed, forsaken, forgiven; so lie the links of this short chain. He who confesses and forsakes his sins shall find compassion (mercy). It is the custom of the trade. (Pr 15:3) And not even from one's self for conscience is always aware of the offense against God whether it is acknowledged as such or not. Confession brings release, freedom, forgiveness and a new beginning. The man who has been foully slandered will rejoice in the light that reflects his purity. Luke It pervades humanity, but in proportion to its profusion men are blind to its presence. The former damages directly, and the latter damages by petty insult. Entanglement by the Cords of one's own Sin - Not long after a wealthy contractor had finished building the Tombs prison in New York, he was found guilty of forgery and sentenced to several years in the prison he had built! We have sinned and done wrong. To hear from God's own Spirit the words, "absolvo te" is joy unspeakable. The strain which will try every man's work is put on there. Secondly, 1Co 11:23-33 admonishes us to examine ourselves before we partake of Communion. He urged them to stop running from what they had done and to admit their sin (Jer 3:13). Those who cover their sins shall not prosper ; for it is impossible to cover them from the eye of our Judge, and to endeavor to shelter ourselves under coverings that are not of his spirit, is an additional provocation to the eyes of his glory. This is an understatement (a figure of speech known as tapeinosis); the opposite is the truth, that eventually such a person will be undone and ruined This verse is unique in the book of Proverbs; it captures the theology of forgiveness (e.g., Ps 32 and Ps 51). Joel He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, 2 Thessalonians See to it that you keep short accounts with God, penitently owning unto Him every known fault, if you would not miss His best. When sin is cast out of the heart, it neither works any more as a ruling power in the man's members, nor lies as condemning guilt in the book of God. There is no small degree of criminality about such an unrighteous defense. We cannot remain in rebellion and yet dwell with the Kings Majesty. More commonly, but most wrongfully, it is laid upon Satan (Ge 3:13). Prospers (06743)(tsalach/salah - see word study) means to succeed or to cause to turn out successfully (Ge 24:21, 40),means to accomplish satisfactorily what is intended = generally expresses idea of a successful venture, as contrasted with failure. That is the essential seal of every true confession: "Whoever confesses and forsakes" his transgressions. No sin can be hidden from God. God, as Jesus shows Him to us,"God is love." A trifle becomes a tell-tale. There is only one way in which transgressions can be covered: that of which the psalmist speaks, when he says, Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, whose sin is covered, because hidden under the propitiation of the blood. This is the clear condition. (Deut 28:29), Meditation (see also Primer on Biblical Meditation) on the Word of God is clearly linked with genuine prosperity in Joshua and Psalms -, This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous (tsalach/salach), and then you will have success. Don't sweep sin under the rug. Then the prophet told him that the leprosy of Naaman should cleave to him all the days of his life. God's finger can crush us -- what must His hand be, and that pressing heavily and continuously! If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy. Ezekiel The thickness has been calculated according to the extent of the span and the weight of the load. H A Ironside writes that: The greatest mistake a soul can be guilty of is to attempt to cover sin and transgression. Augustine comments: Each man's sin is the instrument of his punishment, and his iniquity is turned into his torment. A total of 18 percent of clergy said they visit sexually explicit Web sites between a couple of times a month and more than once a week. The modern theology uses much ingenious argumentation which tries to make out of sin something else; speaks of it as a mere defect, as if it were some kind of a taint in the blood, a hereditary and therefore unavoidable weakness, something for which man is not responsible (Contrast David's acknowledgement of personal responsibility in Ps 51 "my transgressions my iniquity my sin" Ps 51:1, 2). Cover (for clothing or secrecy). Certain great iron castings have been ordered for a railway-bridge. First of all, the confession of the sinner did not provide the mercy of God.