“The cults of independence and perfection have prevented many a struggling Christian from admitting his or her fears, failures, and helplessness until the crisis was so great that it can no longer be denied and broke out with the utmost devastation for all those concerned.” —Gerald Wilson
Confession leads to
“When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.” —Psalms 32:3-4
“When I kept silent…” —Psalm 32:1
“The silence is the rejection of grace.” —James L. Mays
Holding onto guilt brings
“…my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.” —Psalm 32:3-4
“How joyful is the one…” —Psalm 32:1
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” —Psalms 32:5
In confession, we open ourselves within the
“True repentance means we open the bad in our lives to God. We invite him to come right in and look at our sin with us.” —Adele Calhoun
Confession brings
“Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you. Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him.” —Psalms 32:6-10
Confessions leads to
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” —Psalm 32:11
“Anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it…God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.” —2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - MSG
“You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.” —Psalm 32:7
“I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” —Luke 15:10
For further study:
Scripture: Joshua 5:9-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Resources: “Spiritual Disciplines Handbook” by Adele Calhoun
Community Group Guide:
What pressure do you feel about conforming to an image?
How does guilt impact you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
What hindrances do you deal with when thinking about confession?
How has confession brought healing to you?
How does it make you feel to know that confession causes us to celebrate and God to celebrate?
To prepare for next week: God Will Make a Way; Isaiah 43:16-21