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. They felt guilty, exposed, and ashamed. So what did they do? They tried to cover themselves with fig leaves…and what lousy clothing this was! 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 a thousand ways people try 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 wrote 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, if God calls it sin, then so do we. Next, we must forsake our sins and have nothing more to do with them. If we do these two things, 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. Christ will cleanse us with His blood and His word until we are blameless in His sight (Jude 24).

You may struggle getting rid of a certain sin. But do you believe that Jesus can free you? Are you willing to confess it to God and forsake it completely?

“Heavenly Father, thank you for your willingness to forgive us and cleanse us from our sins. Help us give you complete access to our hearts to show us the things that grieve your Holy Spirit. Help us not to cover our sins but to confess them so that we may receive your mercy and prosper. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”