Proverbs 28

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

I bet you wished I picked a different verse today don't you? I wish I had too. 

I wish we could all have one or two secret sins and life go on just fine. I really do- it’s not the most spiritually mature wish, but its mine none the less. The Truth and Wisdom of this Proverb have been proven over and over again. They have been proven in my life and they have been proven in your life. In fact I could give you a few pages of other texts from God’s Word that proves this principle. 

Hidden sin kills you and me. You can't have one and go on just fine. 

It will kill you on every level. It will kill your most precious relationships. It will kill your joy. It will kill your patience. It will kill your future. It will kill your physical health. It is a silent assassin who never misses his target. 

Look at what Solomon said earlier,

"Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

Solomon knew what we know- hidden sins kill us from the inside out. 

I can hear what you're thinking, at least some of you. "But if they find out...I can't tell anyone they won't understand...I'll lose my job or maybe worse my wife...I'm the only one...I'm addicted...I can't stop I've tried...It's better if no one knows..."

Here is the worst thing you can be thinking right now..."It's not that bad..."

I have heard those same thoughts roll through my head. The truth of the matter is that you and I need to confess and renounce our sin. Life is better with confession. Life is better allowing God's grace to forgive us and his people to restore us. Confession isn't telling everyone about the things you do when no one else is looking. Confession is finding the right person or small group of people who can help you find a path out of the darkness. 

Renounce your sin. Some of the most powerful things you can say are the names of your sin. Try it- tell God you are a liar. An adulterer. Tell him you are a thief, a pervert, an alcoholic, an abuser, a gossip, or a fake. Too often we get in the pattern of asking God to forgive our actions, but the power of confession and renouncing too often lie in label that sin has put on us. You see it’s one thing to ask God to forgive a session of gossip but it’s entirely more personal to ask him to forgive you for being a gossip. We don't like labels, but we wear them still. 

I'm sorry I got angry vs. I'm an angry person who needs help and forgiveness. 

Hidden sin will kill you. Maybe the depth of your condition is hidden from you as well. I pray God will use this Proverb to prompt a couple of us to let his grace and mercy begin to heal our bodies and nourish our bones. That's why he wants to bring your sin to light- not to punish you, but to heal you. Trust me the Great Physician doesn't heal hidden wounds, even self-inflicted one.