Sin is common among man and it is humane to sin. God has even said it in His Word that he who says has no sin is a liar (1 John 1:8). No one is immune to sin yet there is a way to deal with sin. Sin should not be hidden, instead it should be unveiled and confessed before God and forsaken.
Job is an example of a man that lived in this world like all of us yet he was confident to ask his friend the question, ‘If I have covered my transgression as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom’. This is Job declaring that he never lived a life of hiding his sins. It can be assumed that before Job’s uttered these words, his friends must have asked him many questions, particularly pertaining to things he could have done that may have offended God.
Observation 1
The Bible notes that men, noted as Adam in Job 31:33, are known for hiding their sins. The Bible is the Word of God, therefore, it can be said that God Himself knows that men have this problem, probably more than woman do.
Another man who hid his sin was Achan as recorded in the book of Joshua 7:20 – 21. Sadly, Achan had to be interrogated by Joshua before he came out clear about his sin. Achan had done an abominable thing before God and his leader, Joshua. Many people only confess when they have been caught or after having been interrogated. Achan’s ending was not nice since Israel had to stone him to death for his sin.
Observation 2
Punishment for sin that has been confessed after an interrogation is normally severe. I don’t think Achan’s ending would have been this severe if he had voluntary confessed his sin. It takes an effort to hide your sins and you never have a clear conscious until you deal with your sin. Even though it’s not easy, confessing your sins is the greatest reliever.
People today steal from their employers, church and government. Today people not only steal material things but also other people. Taking someone else’s wife or daughter to fornicate and do adultery is the same as stealing. The same applies for women. Many successfully hide people for their sexual pleasures.
Consequences of a hidden sin
- Proverbs 28:13 – He who covers his sins will not prosper. Whatever the Bible says is true and it shall hold in this life and that to come. The Word of the Lord does not change (Psalms 119: the word of God that never changes). No matter the good works a person does, no success shall come. Don’t be tempted to believe that your material success while you have hidden your sins is still success before God. You must confess your sins and abandon them to have Godly success.
- Joshua 7:1 – God’s wrath is upon those whose sins are unconfessed. For the sins of one man, the whole Israel nation was under God’s wrath. Hidden sins can bring a curse to you and the people around you.
- Psalms 51:3 – A guilty conscious will not go away until you confess. Don’t let yourself die in hidden sin because it will count after this life. You will face your sins if you keep them under cover until you die. Sadly at that time it will be too late to make any positive changes. No earthly judge that has given you earthly favour can take away your guilt. Your sin will always be before you until you confess it.
Solution
Confess your sins (1 John 1:9); God is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins. This is the only way to set yourself free from sin. Mind that you confess your sins the right way, if it was a public sin you committed, make sure you confess it publicly. Some sins can be done in private yet the consequences may affect the public, do not be shy to confess such sins in public. Doing so will only set you free from guilt.
Proverbs 28:3, God can only forgive you if you leave your sins. By so doing, you will receive grace. It is better to deal with your sin while in the time of grace.
Conclusion
Send me your prayer request for a hidden sin that is troubling you. I can council you through to confession but you must be ready to do what is right.
Inspired by Rev J.S. Msane’s sermon delivered on 12th April 2015, on VO
Sin is common among man and it is humane to sin. God has even said it in His Word that he who says has no sin is a liar (1 John 1:8). No one is immune to sin yet there is a way to deal with sin. Sin should not be hidden, instead it should be unveiled and confessed before God and forsaken.
Job is an example of a man that lived in this world like all of us yet he was confident to ask his friend the question, ‘If I have covered my transgression as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom’. This is Job declaring that he never lived a life of hiding his sins. It can be assumed that before Job’s uttered these words, his friends must have asked him many questions, particularly pertaining to things he could have done that may have offended God.
Observation 1
The Bible notes that men, noted as Adam in Job 31:33, are known for hiding their sins. The Bible is the Word of God, therefore, it can be said that God Himself knows that men have this problem, probably more than woman do.
Another man who hid his sin was Achan as recorded in the book of Joshua 7:20 – 21. Sadly, Achan had to be interrogated by Joshua before he came out clear about his sin. Achan had done an abominable thing before God and his leader, Joshua. Many people only confess when they have been caught or after having been interrogated. Achan’s ending was not nice since Israel had to stone him to death for his sin.
Observation 2
Punishment for sin that has been confessed after an interrogation is normally severe. I don’t think Achan’s ending would have been this severe if he had voluntary confessed his sin. It takes an effort to hide your sins and you never have a clear conscious until you deal with your sin. Even though it’s not easy, confessing your sins is the greatest reliever.
People today steal from their employers, church and government. Today people not only steal material things but also other people. Taking someone else’s wife or daughter to fornicate and do adultery is the same as stealing. The same applies for women. Many successfully hide people for their sexual pleasures.
Consequences of a hidden sin
- Proverbs 28:13 – He who covers his sins will not prosper. Whatever the Bible says is true and it shall hold in this life and that to come. The Word of the Lord does not change (Psalms 119: the word of God that never changes). No matter the good works a person does, no success shall come. Don’t be tempted to believe that your material success while you have hidden your sins is still success before God. You must confess your sins and abandon them to have Godly success.
- Joshua 7:1 – God’s wrath is upon those whose sins are unconfessed. For the sins of one man, the whole Israel nation was under God’s wrath. Hidden sins can bring a curse to you and the people around you.
- Psalms 51:3 – A guilty conscious will not go away until you confess. Don’t let yourself die in hidden sin because it will count after this life. You will face your sins if you keep them under cover until you die. Sadly at that time it will be too late to make any positive changes. No earthly judge that has given you earthly favour can take away your guilt. Your sin will always be before you until you confess it.
Solution
Confess your sins (1 John 1:9); God is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins. This is the only way to set yourself free from sin. Mind that you confess your sins the right way, if it was a public sin you committed, make sure you confess it publicly. Some sins can be done in private yet the consequences may affect the public, do not be shy to confess such sins in public. Doing so will only set you free from guilt.
Proverbs 28:3, God can only forgive you if you leave your sins. By so doing, you will receive grace. It is better to deal with your sin while in the time of grace.
Conclusion
Send me your prayer request for a hidden sin that is troubling you. I can council you through to confession but you must be ready to do what is right.
Inspired by Rev J.S. Msane’s sermon delivered on 12th April 2015, on VOC
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