A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. (I Sam 15; II Sam 11)

Call it what god calls it

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loyal love: according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity (bend twist distort), and cleanse me from my sin (miss the mark).

3  For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is always before me.   (Transgress= rebellion, trespass, step over line)

4  Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight: that you may be found just when you speak, and blameless when You judge

Confession = speak the same; opposite of denial; open agreement ð identifies the deadly behavior Commission; Omission; non-Submission

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

Turning up the volume:  QT/people/dissatisfaction/depression/despair/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 brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived 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 do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

{Thought (temptation)->act (desire embraced)->habit (desire unchecked)->character->destiny}

Js 1:14 tempted when drawn away by own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

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 (submitted will) These, O God, You will not despise. {Isa 57:15}

Having a higher standard than God usurps His authority; Beating up yourself is no substitute for a submitted will.

Experience God's Cleansings and Renewing

6  Behold, You desire truth/faithfulness in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will 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 hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

9  Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Rm 6; 12:1-2 Victorious Christian life)

God’s more concerned with the inside (values/purposes) than appearances; what’s inside eventually breaks through to the outside

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

Js 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Sing for joy and Share with others

11  Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain/uphold me with a willing/noble spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14  Deliver/strip me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Results of True Confessions: joy; unembarrassed praise; willing spirit to obey God; clean heart; teaching others; light; freedom and victory

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 Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19  Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your 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 change our inner values and desires, and break emotional attachment to sin? Can one be free from temptation?

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

5. ACTION POINTS: Where do you need to take down and/or set up roadblocks? How will your values and emotions change this week?