Devotion for October 23, 2008

The Crippling Effect of Un-confessed Sin

“A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, [Whose] sin [is] covered. Blessed [is] the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit [there is] no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. You [are] my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse [or] like the mule, [Which] have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all [you] upright in heart!” (Psalms 32:1-11 NKJV)

David said, “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all day long.” Sin will cripple you. The Lord’s hand was heavy upon David and his vitality dried up.

Have you ever gone through a time when it seemed like there was no reason but you just felt depressed and lethargic? There may be medical reasons why a person would feel these things, but there is also a spiritual reason. When believers act like a horse or a mule, needing bit and bridle to walk a straight path, they miss great joy.

Listen the Lord wants His children to have joy. Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and [that] your joy may be full.” (John 15:10-11 NKJV)

It is not natural for a believer to be depressed unless he has damaged his relationship with God. Surely one of the ways God chastens His children is through the waning effect of His Spirit. Therefore you should “. . .  not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30 NKJV)

The cure is confession. David was fine once he confessed his sins. The question that begs is, “Why does a believer often hide his sins when it costs him so dearly?” The answer is that real confession must acknowledge the shame. This is painful, and because it is, it is sometimes illusive.

If you think about it, this is foolish. It’s foolish because God knows all about it anyway; and it’s foolish because you suffer needlessly. The pain of confession is sharply intense, but the pain of experiential separation is far more reaching. If continued in it, it will become unbearable because God will lay a heavy hand upon your life.

Therefore, if you are fighting depression, look first at sin issues. Is there un-confessed sin? Are there those to whom you need to ask forgiveness? Remember, God wants you to have joy, and He will press you for your own good.