The Phil Files

Confronting our hidden sins, our rebellion, and lies are never easy. But confession is the open door to God to step in and change our hearts and lives, and also redeem our relationships. Take comfort in such sweet reassurance. Take action when falsehoods fill your relationships.

Blessed are those
      whose transgressions are forgiven,
      whose sins are covered.
   Blessed are those
      whose sin the LORD does not count against them
      and in whose spirit is no deceit.

   When I kept silent,
      my bones wasted away
      through my groaning all day long.
   For day and night
      your hand was heavy on me;
   my strength was sapped
      as in the heat of summer.

   Then I acknowledged my sin to you
      and did not cover up my iniquity.
   I said, “I will confess
      my transgressions to the LORD.”
   And you forgave
      the guilt of my sin.

   Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
      while you may be found;
   surely the rising of the mighty waters
      will not reach them.
   You are my hiding place;
      you will protect me from trouble
      and surround me with songs of deliverance.

   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
   Do not be like the horse or the mule,
      which have no understanding
   but must be controlled by bit and bridle
      or they will not come to you.
   Many are the woes of the wicked,
      but the LORD’s unfailing love
      surrounds those who trust in him.

   Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
      sing, all you who are upright in heart!

\o/ — Comments Psalm 32: Surround me with songs of deliverance! — \o/

Few things wilt a heart, undermine a relationship, and destroy a sensitive spirit quite like hidden sin. Our hidden, unconfessed sin poisons us. The longer we incubate it, the more dead and broken we become inside.

In relationships, there is no integrity, no genuine intimacy, when hidden sin separates a husband and wife or two close friends. A close friendship is rendered false and shallow because of secrets and sin. A person’s own heart is chewed up with real guilt and the toxic shame of unconfessed rebellion. Our hidden, unconfessed sins poison our relationship. The longer we incubate it, the more dead and broken the person we love becomes, poisoned of heart by our own hand.

The psalmist’s graphic description of sin’s power to rot a person physically as well as spiritually is powerfully described here.

“BUT GOD …!”

Ah, what sweet reversal the simple words “But God …” can bring. Confession, honesty, a genuine and thorough audit of our hearts opens the door to for hope to say, “But God can bring healing, health, hope, forgiveness, deliverance, righteousness, and songs of joy.

He can restore heart, soul, mind, and strength … and sometimes … in fact often times … He helps to restore the broken relationship.

As James said so long ago, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Vindicate me, LORD,
    for I have led a blameless life;
  I have trusted in the LORD
    and have not faltered.
  Test me, LORD, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
  for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
  and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

  I do not sit with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.
  I abhor the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
  I wash my hands in innocence,
    and go about your altar, LORD,
  proclaiming aloud your praise
  and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

  LORD, I love the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.
  Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
  in whose hands are wicked schemes,
  whose right hands are full of bribes.
  I lead a blameless life;
    redeem me and be merciful to me.

  My feet stand on level ground;
    in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.

\o/ — Comments Psalm 26: My feet stand on level ground! — \o/

OK, I admit I would like to be able to recite the words to this Psalm as my own. BUT, to put it in cornbread English, I just aint that good. I love the LORD and want to serve Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. However, I fall so short. I could never make these boasts before the LORD. The only righteousness I can claim has been given me by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).So what I take from this Psalm — very much a claim to live the life advocated in Psalm 1 — is a desire to be more what the Father wants me to be and do what the last line of the Psalm says, “In the great congregation I will praise the LORD” for God has been so gracious and loving and merciful to me.