Category Archives: Confessing Sin

Words

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Open Mouth

Have you have gotten caught up in the moment and said something you wish you hadn’t?  Are there times when you wish someone would put a bridle on your mouth and completely control your words?  Are there times when you wish you could sleep all day, hide, play computer games that take over your mind…? Then, guess what, that makes us all normal and still forgivable and lovable.  The real question is…How do we overcome these times?

First, we must realize we are as much an at fault sinner as the one we directed our words toward.  God knows that!  He knew when He breathed the Word.  The Bible is full of admonitions, both Old and New Testament, to guard our words.

Second, we must ask for forgiveness and then follow through with a change of heart.  I can get on my knees 50 times a day, some days 500, and ask for forgiveness but unless I decide, with God’s help, to change, the words are empty.

Then, and the hardest of all, is to ask for forgiveness from the one who has been harmed by the words.  Unlike God, they may choose to be unforgiving.  If that happens give it back to God and continue mending the relationship.

There is a delightful children’s song that says: Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.  Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.  For the Father up above is looking down in love.  Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Heavenly Father, creator of all words and languages, Lord of my life, forgive me for words hastily spoken.  Control my words (and thoughts) toward or about others.  Let my life be acceptable to You.  Make it so!

Not Again

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What does work when we’ve managed, once again, to jump into the ‘sin-pit’?  We can be the most disciplined believer on the face of the earth, we can have had enough life experiences that we should have seen it coming, we can know our Bible so well that good choices are second nature to us, BUT when the perfect personal sin is dangled in front of us and looks like the best apple on the tree…So what is our protection?  Knowing His Word so well that we can use it as a guide in all situations (2 Timothy 3:16).  Developing  a life habit of prayer in all situations (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Understanding that we are totally, completely, covered in His blanket of loving forgiveness (Song of Songs 2:4). Taking refuge in the shadow of His loving and merciful wings (Psalms 17:8).  Yes, we will sin.  Unfortunately, that’s a guaranteed result of life in this fallen world.  Paying attention to the Spirit within can help with that.  When we are about to say or do something we shouldn’t, there is more than likely a prodding or consciousness that we should not follow through with it.  I believe that this is the Paraclete, the Counselor, the Spirit of Christ, living in us, wanting what is best for us, trying to warn us that what we’re about to do is not in line with what is expected of us as part of the Kingdom.  We need to learn to listen to this voice.  A dear friend once told me to keep this in mind…When in doubt, don’t.  That small command has worked for me…when I let it.

Heavenly Father, speak to me.  When I am about to sin, speak to me.  When You know I need to hear You,  speak to me.  Open my ears, mind, and heart to hear the sound of Your voice.  Oh, Lord, speak to me.  

Make it so!

NO CONTEST

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It is always my pleasure to be on the learning side of a class.  My Sunday AM Bible study allows the class assistant to teach on the 2nd Sunday of the month.  Sometimes we ‘chase bunny trails’ in the course of the lesson.  If it is something that will help us better understand the lesson then we will go ahead with the thought.  We were discussing our sinful lives based on Romans 7 and chased the trail of a No Contest Plea.

As I understand the concept of a ‘No Contest” plea it is usually used so the sitting judge will decide the case.  If the case should be appealed the next judge will usually honor the first judge’s ruling.

As the class debated this idea I was caught up in the thought that this concept can be applied to our own judgment.  When we pass to our new eternal home we will stand before the One and Only GOD, judge of all that was, is, and is to come.  Our Counselor will stand beside us and when the charges are brought will say this case has already been decided, there was a ‘No Contest” plea, and all was forgiven on the cross.

I want you to understand that even though we are forgiven we do not have the option of deliberately breaking God’s commands.  It should be our total desire to follow our God so closely that we are constantly aware of the Spirit/Counselor within us giving advice and counsel regularly.  When we choose not to heed that voice and go ahead with whatever it is that will displease Him we will miss the great blessing of obedience.

Let’s all make right choices.