Proverbs 28

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, NKJV)

It all goes back to the Garden of Eden. As soon as Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit they knew that they were naked. What did they do? They tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. This is often the human response to guilt: we try to cover ourselves. Maybe we blame others, pretend that it’s not a sin, make excuses, or sweep it under the carpet, hoping that it will just go away. There are thousands of ways people attempt to cover their sins, but in the end they will not prosper. As Moses said so long ago, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). And James tells us that when sin grows up, it brings forth death (James 1:15).

What is the solution? We must confess our sins and forsake them. To confess means to agree with God concerning them. In other words, whatever God calls sin, we call sin. Then we forsake it and have nothing more to do with it. If we do this with all our hearts, then we will find mercy.

The apostle John gives us a wonderful promise:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NKJV)

Not only will God forgive us and wipe the slate clean, but He will also cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He will make us blameless before Him.

You may have struggled getting rid of a certain sin. But do you believe that Jesus can set you free? By God’s grace, are you willing to forsake it completely? This is the way to put away sin and prosper accordingly.