The Courage to Confess

Day Seventy-Seven

The Courage to Confess (Read Proverbs 28:8-14)

⁸ Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹ God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

¹⁰ Those who lead good people along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the honest will inherit good things.

¹¹ Rich people may think they are wise,
    but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

¹² When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

¹³ People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,^[b]
    but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

Footnotes

1. 28:14 Or those who fear the Lord; Hebrew reads those who fear.

In the journey of faith, one of the most challenging yet transformative steps we can take is to confess our sins. Proverbs 28:13 presents us with a clear and profound truth: hiding our sins leads to stagnation, but confession opens the door to God's mercy and renewal. Few people ever confess their defects of character, shortcomings, secrets, or sin; for this writing, these terms are all synonymous. Most never will unless evidence somehow turns up; they are cornered, and there is no way out of their predicament.

Only when we confess our sins do we receive mercy from God! The Apostle John tells us that "if we confess our sins to [Jesus], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (John 1:7=9). 

"And when at last you find someone to whom you feel you can pour out your soul, you stop in shock at the words you utter— they are so rusty, so ugly, so meaningless and feeble from being kept in the small, cramped dark inside you so long." ~ Sylvia Plath

 The Trap of Concealment

Many of us have experienced the temptation to hide our mistakes, whether out of fear, shame, or pride. We might convince ourselves that concealing our sins will protect us from judgment or preserve our image. But in reality, hiding our sins only deepens the bondage of self and drives the wedge even deeper between God and the world. When we conceal our sins, we carry the weight of guilt and shame, which can hinder our relationship with God and others. The proverb reminds us that this path of concealment does not lead to prosperity or peace. Instead, it traps us in a cycle of fear and spiritual stagnation.

"Three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." ~ Confucius

The Power of Confession

Confession requires courage. It means being honest with ourselves, with God, and with others. People in 12-step recovery programs are blessed because they have principles for practicing the spiritual discipline of confession, and it's a must because their lives depend on it. Still, confession is rarely practiced in most religious practices, except Catholicism, and less than half of all Catholics go to confession, even once a year.

Confession involves acknowledging our failures, weaknesses, and need for God's grace. This spiritual discipline is complex and often feels vulnerable and risky. However, the act of confession is potent. It breaks the chains of secrecy and allows the healing light of God's truth to penetrate our hearts. We take the first step toward true freedom and transformation when we confess.

"Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning, and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A person cannot abandon the habit of sin if they do not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can they receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the cause of true humility." ~ Isaac of Nineveh

Receiving God's Mercy

The promise of Proverbs 28:13 is clear: if we confess and turn from our sins, we will receive mercy. This mercy is not conditional or limited; it reflects God's boundless love and grace. No matter how far we may feel we have fallen, God's mercy is always available. When we confess, God does not meet us with condemnation but with open arms, ready to forgive and restore us. This mercy brings peace to our hearts and renews our spirits, enabling us to walk in the newness of life and freeing us from the bondage of self.

"Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence." ~ Saint Augustine

A Call to Repentance

Confession is the first step, but repentance is the next. Repentance means turning away from our sinful ways and following God's path. It's about consciously changing our behavior and aligning our lives with God's will. Only when we put our will in line with God's can we experience the promises and rewards of a loving and merciful God. As we confess and repent, we receive God's mercy and strength to live in a way that honors Him, presenting an adequate demonstration of a Jesus-centered life to the world. Turning away from sin and toward God is the key to spiritual growth and true prosperity; there are no other shortcuts or loopholes.

"I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell." ~ William Booth

Reflection Questions:

• Is there something you've been hiding or struggling to confess to God?
• How can you find the courage to bring it before God and another human being, trusting His mercy?
• Consider how confession and repentance can lead to more profound peace and freedom from bondage.

Next Steps:

Today, take a moment to reflect on an area of your life where you may have been hiding something or holding back from God. It could be a sin, a hurt, or a fear that you haven't fully surrendered to Him. Schedule an appointment to meet with another trusted human being so you can share your entire story, hold nothing back, and have the spiritual experience you so desperately need.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, grant me the courage to confess my sins to You and another human being. I acknowledge my need for Your mercy and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my sinful ways and to walk in Your truth. Thank You for Your unfailing love and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May you find the courage to confess and the peace from receiving God's mercy, walking in the light of His truth each day.

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today's wisdom.