Introductory Thoughts
Many people claim to confess their sins; yet, confession not followed by action remains fruitless. Several verses in the word of God indicate the truth of the matter. Consider the next four examples: (1) Confession of sin is connected to forsaking sin (Proverbs 28:13); (2) Confession of sin is followed by recompense of the trespass (Numbers 5:7); (3) Solomon connected confessing sin with turning from it (1 Kings 8:35); (4) Confession is followed by doing the Lord’s pleasure (Ezra 10:11). True confession involves much more than simply receiving the Lord’s forgiveness; it involves making wrongs right. True confession is never accomplished by merely opening one's mouth and spouting forth some meaningless words. True confession always produces change in the confessor.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Jesus forgave a woman that had done wrong but also told her to go and sin no more (John 8:11). When the children of Israel wanted God to deliver them from the Philistines, Samuel told them they must put away their strange gods, which they willingly did (1 Samuel 7:3-6). We too must be willing to give up sin in order to have the right relationship with the Lord.
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(For everyone): Do you find yourself often apologizing to the Lord for sinning against Him, yet failing to demonstrate any outward signs of the necessary true repentance?
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If true confession is most often followed by action, when is the last time you truly confessed your sins to the Lord? Are you willing to confess them now?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to show you the unconfessed sins in your life.
- Ask the Lord to help you confess and forsake those sins.
Song
Eternal Spirit, We Confess
