Call it what god calls it

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4  Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Confession = speak the same; opposite of denial; open agreement ð identifies the deadly behavior

Independence = the essence of sin; seeking power (security-significance)/pleasure/possessions outside of God (which is deadly)

Turning up the volume:  QT/people/disaster (until we hate its effects and cause)

Overcome your defense mechanisms  When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. -Ps 32:5

5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Hide/Deny/Ignore; Blame/Hurl; Rationalize; Pride=Pretending you’re something you’re not, to impress yourself or others

We need to be more concerned with the causes and relational (God & others) consequences of our sin than the temporary effects.

NAME IT AND CLAIM IT   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -I Jn 1:9

16  For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.

Forgive yourself (and others) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. -Ps 32:1

17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you wilt not despise.

Having a higher standard than God usurps His authority

Experience God's Cleansings and Renewing

6  Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

9  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

God’s more concerned with the inside than appearances; what’s inside eventually breaks through to the outside

{Thought (temptation)ðact (desire embraced)ðhabit (desire unchecked)ðcharacterðdestiny}

We’re transformed by the renewing of our minds: The Spirit of God using the Word of God to produce in us the Mind of Christ

Sing for joy and Share with others

11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

Results of True Confessions: joy; unembarrassed praise; willing spirit to obey God; clean heart; teach others

Set up Roadblocks A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. -Pr 22:3

18  Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

(See Ain’t Gonna Reign No More Handout on Sanctification - Rom 6)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Are some sins worse than others? How does one set up the scale?

2. Distinguish: repentance, confession, forgiveness, cleansing, renewal, sanctification

3. How do we act when confronted? How should we act? How can we change?

4. How does one discover our own defense mechanisms? Penetrate another's defense mechanisms?

5. ACTION POINT: Where do you need to take down and/or set up roadblocks?