Text – Proverbs 28:13; James 5:16; 1 John 1:8-9
INTRODUCTION –
Ever since Adam sinned, man often attempts to conceal his sins. He tries to hide them from other people and he tries to hide them from God. Sometimes he is in denial about his sin and he even tries to hide his sin from himself. This problem exists with the Believer as well as the unbeliever, and the Bible has something to say to both groups of people (expound).
There are a number of people in the Bible who we could reference that suffered with this problem, David in the Old Testament, along with Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament (Acts 5) are probably the most prominent (expound).
There are many scriptural references that are applicable for addressing this problem; however, we are just going to examine a few of them today in hopes that they will lead us to a scriptural solution to this problem as we talk to you today with the subject:
“OWN IT!”
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16 (NIV)
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)
POINTS –
- “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – This verse may carry a different meaning to Unbelievers than it does to Believers. The Unbeliever can take this verse to mean that if they continue in their sinful ways, and try to keep those sins a secret, the things that they do in their everyday life will not work out well for them. They may also take it to let them know that if they continue trying to keep their sin a secret, when it is exposed, the judgment from the law will not be lenient to them (expound).
- “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – We believe that the writer is talking to Believers because confessing implies that the sinful person not only has a need to seek redemption for his sin, but he also needs to be cured of this sin. It also lets us know that the person with this sin problem is not looking to the law of the land for redemption and a cure; but he is seeking help from those who are in fellowship with God (expound).
- “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – Let me make it clear that in these passages of scripture, sins do not just apply to scriptural transgressions. In other words, sins do not just apply to those sins that many people think only occur to those who believe are Christians (Fornication, Adultery, Debauchery, Lascivious, etc.). Sins are also the disobedience of the laws of the land. However, 1 John makes it clear that if the person OWNS UP to the sins that he commits, the LORD will not only forgive him of it, but HE will also take it off his record (expound).
CONCLUSION –
My sisters and brothers, there are a group of people who are considered to be” GOOD PEOPLE.” You know who they are; they are the people who don’t bother anybody, they keep to themselves, they go to church, they keep their property up, etc. You might even be one of these Good People. It so happens that these Good People are generally the ones who John is talking about; the ones who don’t think they have sins.
These are the ones who are in denial about their sin; Saint and Sinner alike! And for many reasons they have not yet taken the time to confess their sins. They are still spending their time trying to conceal their sin. It is only by Owning our sin can we forgiven for them, and cured/delivered from them.
So many people have found creative ways to conceal their sins. David tried to cover his up with deceit disguised and favor. Ananias thought he could fool GOD by deceiving men (expound and conclude).
OWN IT!