sin ? | SermonIndex

R

rainydaygirl Apr 21, 2011

when we repent, we do so to God and seek His forgiveness of our sins...is it just as important to go to those around us and confess our sins publicly as well? I am wondering if we need to make a public confession of sins in order to move forward, to really bring it into the light? for example if I am feeling convicted by God about having deceived someone and I repented of that sin do I did to also go to the person whom I lied to and confess as well?

rdg

W

White_Stone Apr 21, 2011

if I am feeling convicted by God about having deceived someone and I repented of that sin do I did to also go to the person whom I lied to and confess as well?

My understanding of this is YES! Plus, we are to make restitution as far as possible. I am rushed and do not have Chapter & Verse to offer but:

Remember the short man who climbed the tree in order to see Jesus & Jesus stopped beneath the tree and told him to come down, that that day he was going to visit his house. The man repented and confessed he would return 4-fold anything he had taken wrongly.

white stone

R

Renoncer Apr 21, 2011

Rainydaygirl,

If the Holy Spirit is convicting you to confess your sin to the person against whom you have sinned, it is wise to listen to His voice. If you harden your heart against the voice of God, you have no idea what the consequences might be.

I remember once, I had sinned greatly against a brother in Christ. I was stubborn and refused to admit my fault. However, God wasn't going to let me have my way. Praise the Lord for his discipline! The Holy Spirit came upon me and the hand of the Lord was heavy upon me. Yet I still resisted. But, the more I resisted, the more I could feel the weight of my sin. After two days, I just couldn't bear it anymore! I couldn't work, I couldn't think, I couldn't run away from this conviction! So I called my brother and said that we had to meet IMMEDIATELY. I rushed to meet him and humbled myself before him, asking him for forgiveness, which he graciously offered.

I am glad that God didn't let me go the way of hardening my heart. How Satan wanted me to shut my ears to God's voice, and how I followed the flesh for a while. God could have let me go my way, but in his grace, He didn't.

Now, I can again have sweet fellowship with my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God for his discipline.

If God is speaking to you, it may be difficult, but listen to His voice. The rewards will be much greater than whatever pain you may have to endure at the moment.

In Christ Jesus,
Renoncer

L

lylewise Apr 21, 2011

If we want to look like most of the world no. If however we want to be seperated from this world yes, yes, and yes again. To whom does this confession profit? Foremost we have a relationship with the all knowing God so it is futile to hide what cannot be hidden (Psalm 51:4)"Against you and you alone have I sinned"! This is the desire, which is the nature of the child of Chirst, to be as He is. Why, because we have received the undeniable truth and evidence of His love for us. Now we desire so desperately to be like Him and please Him, as a child does their earthly parents. Nothing new here, for this is stating the obvious, but what else does confession accomplish? Is it not a testimony to men? Does it not say,"God is more important than all things to me" (somewhat like baptism)and in doing so point men to the object of our faith which is now manifest in our confession? It is also a part of sanctification and maturity as God seeks to grow us to be more like Himself. As any parent would, He seeks a pure and sanctified bride for His Son. To whom shall he model her after? 1st Peter 1:16 "Be holy for I am Holy!

There is so much to your post rainydaygirl and I would be shocked if this thread you have started does not weave itself into a robe.

R

rainydaygirl Apr 21, 2011

I just wanted to say thank you for the replies to this thread. I have found them to be very helpful to me.

Having said that I want to take the time to repent to many on this forum. I have at times in the past abused its pages to post in a manner other then I should have. There have been posts that were filled with self and to try and impress others, to make myself look and seem important instead of seeking to lift up Jesus. I am sorry and humbly ask forgiveness for lying, or writing posts that may have caused others hurt or pain. I am sorry for seeking to get attention for self and for attempting to make people believe that I am someone other then who I am. I am a sinner who needs Jesus more then anything else and I know it begins with bringing sin into the open. I'm not rainydaygirl, that's just a made up name to hide behind and its not real, its not being real. I am sorry and repent for being someone other then I really am.

In Christ Jesus

R

Renoncer Apr 21, 2011

When you say that you are not "rainydaygirl", what do you mean? I imagine that you mean more than just having used a nickname...

You are on the right path, and I want to encourage you. I will pray for you.

In Christ Jesus,
Renoncer

W

White_Stone Apr 21, 2011

To whoever it is that is hiding behind the name 'rainydaygirl,'

Please know that Your apology is accepted by the person who is hiding behind the name White Stone. :-) I do not see using a screen name as hiding, in this age and time it is a stab at trying to be as wise as a serpent.

However, please know between you and me there is a clean slate. Go in peace,

ws

C

crusader Apr 22, 2011

Hi Rainydaygirl

what joy i found reading the replies to your post. In order for Jesus to renew our worldy born minds we must be ready to carry our spiritual cross with Jesus. At times the thought of flagilation may be painful but it is a part of our calling to give full Glory to the lord. When we confess our sins no matter how much shame, pride or sorrow we feel before and while actioning it God is mercyful and victories in our lives when it is finished. it is these marks that bare witness to others of our walk in Jesus and seperates us from the world. Rejoice rainydaygirl that the lord is working in your life because if he wasnt you wouldnt feel the need to repent at all.

the other part to this, is how has it influenced the readers of your previous posts. Well the owness is on ourselves to chew the cud it is not what goes into a man that defiles him it is what comes out of him. :)

sermonindex Apr 22, 2011

Hi Sis. What's happened? You've confessed this once already within this year and even then we said that there's no need to go into worrying about what name you use online. That something White_Stone said as well -- that's a security feature on the world-wide-web from stawkers, etc..
I'm not sure what triggered this fear again but feel free to PM anyone of the Sisters if you still feel you need to clear anything up. Otherwise, maybe just wait a while and see if this is coming from GOD or a false condemnation of sorts.
If you feel you've hurt anyone, a PM would suffice.

Sis, you are a blessing, no matter what your name is.

I pray His Peace for you and for you to feel free to post as under His Blood. In Jesus' Name.
We Love you Sis. Get your Joy back too. :) ... "'then' we will teach transgressors His way and continue to exhort the Saints."

We're getting a new name when we see Him anyways. Bless the LORD. Praise our Loving GOD. AMEN!

sermonindex Apr 22, 2011

This talk by David Guzik at the Greenock Revival Conference helped me to get some perspective on the topic of PUBLIC confession.

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=18253

There are three places in the New Testament where it is mentioned very clearly. (There may be others.)

Luke 19:7 And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Notice how the general public had an opinion about the man because of his public sins. This knowledge is implicit in his confession to the Lord because he not only promises to give half his wealth to 'the poor', but individually to make restitution to the people whose names are on his conscience.

Acts 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Here again we see that the whole community at Ephesus had been affected by the practices of 'curious arts', and those responsible who had come to Christ, if not before, now all knew each other - and their victims - and made a public statement of renunciation together, to that community. And God blessed them.

(But we know the local makers of idols weren't happy when their trade dwindled. There is always a cost to others, which can never be more important than pleasing the Lord.)

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Here, again, Paul and other Pharisees had been in public ministry, and although this statement is made in a letter to Corinthians whom we think of as Gentile, there was quite a Jewish presence in Corinth, and, the epistle would have been read to the whole church.

[Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.]

R

rainydaygirl Apr 22, 2011

To WS

Thank you very much for your reply. I agree having a screen name for protection in this day on the internet is vital but for me there is more to it. I am not sure how to explain it all.

Thank you again to all who have posted.