December 1, 2024 -- Proverbs 1:8 -- The power of Confession with accountability

People loved by the Father, by the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching…
Proverbs 1:8 ESV
 
When you were little (for some of you this will be a real stretch of the imagination) your father and your mother were your accountability persons. When you did something wrong and they noticed it, they confronted you. Their instruction was the God-given model and example of what accountability looks like in daily living. The instruction of the father and the teaching of the mother are meant to guide your steps. When you stray, then your parents (who likely already know you stole a cookie, or broke a window, or hit your sister) meet with you and ask you about your sin, or your wrong action. You squirm. You blame others. But you know that your parents already have you dead to rights (caught red-handed).
 
The pattern is established by godly parents. When you sin, and all people sin, then the child, or man, or woman must confess that sin to their parent, and to God. Parents then teach their children to pray to God, asking His forgiveness and strength to walk in the way of holiness. Such godly parents also model the post-sin love of God. Yes, you confess, but you also find relief and acceptance. As a child grows older, friends become their accountability partners. That naturally occurring transition reveals why it is critical that teenagers choose good, godly companions. Friends who are worldly will lead believers into wicked paths and try to live as if there are no consequences.
 
Note as well, if the pattern of sin, confession, prayer that godly parents are called to model for their children is missing or warped, there will be consequences. Children hear it when one parent speak lies to a manager. Little ones notice mom spending time in front of the TV watching what is clearly not acceptable according to family values. By these and countless other ways, the child learns to deceive. It undermines the healthy family life which God has established. Holy family patterns are established when a parent, caught red-handed in wrong, humbly acknowledges sin and wrong-doing and during family devotions prays for forgiveness.
 
When you encounter Jesus Christ, His standard of holiness, His perfection, then you realize your life does not measure up. It is not acceptable to be blaming parents, or friends, or co-workers or the world’s influence for your own waywardness. Jesus is not asking you about others, His radiance and goodness require you to examine your own heart and require you to confess your own sin. Where the godly example of parents was lacking, or a young-to-the-faith Christian did not have such instruction, then it is the Spirit of God who leads a man or a woman to self-examination and repentance.
 
In the Overcomers material, Step 5 is: “I confess my character weaknesses and wrongdoings to God, myself, and another person” (Overcomers Workbook, Canadian Bible Society, page 95). Character weaknesses are the inclinations to sin, attitudes and impulses with which all people are born. A child does not need to be taught to sin—that comes naturally. A child needs to be discipled in the way of godliness—that is new territory. When you have a godly accountability partner, then the desire to sin, the impulses to wrong-doing or self-destructive patterns are confessed so that their powerful hold is broken before they lead to actions. At that moment the Spirit of God ministers healing to the mind and heart.
 
Confession of rebellion, lies, strife, and all other transgressions against the commands of God prevent the evil from continuing in the heart. Confession puts a stop to the evil action and the lies or whatever else is going on, throwing back the curtains of concealing darkness and letting the light of God’s mercy and love reach the cold depths of the heart whose words and actions betrayed God. A good accountability friend (or parent) acknowledges the wrong. Sees you through the consequences of your wrong or sin and constantly points you to the healing mercy of God, all the while praying for you and showing you in person, what the mercy of God looks like.
 
 
Oh God my Father, I can easily lie to myself, acting as if my sins could escape Your notice. Thank You for the godly ones who instructed me in my youth in the way Truth. I confess my desire to keep up appearances, rather than exposing myself to holy scrutiny. Lead me to a Christian friend who will hear my confession and even listen to the weaknesses in me that are tempting me, and let this person be one who I can hear and encourage in godliness, so that together our great desire is to honour God with mind, mouth and motives. Thank You, God of Glory, that You already know the absolute worst about my life, and You have provided the Savior, the One Whose blood made ^propitiation for all my sins. Amen.
 
^propitiation: at the cross, Jesus’ blood and body were sacrificed. Meaning that He took on Himself the just and proper anger of God against all your sin, so that God’s kindness and mercy would be yours.
 
https://youtu.be/TxC16duiHvQ?si=dUrDyykd4mpz8tBn O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer
 

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.