February 27, 2024 -- Proverbs 28:13 -- Posting your no trespassing sign at the pathways of your old sins

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 ESV

The word “transgressions” means crossing a line from what is right to intentionally do what is wrong. It is knowingly trespassing. For the Christian the pathways of sin are posted with “no trespassing” signs. The Spirit of God applies the Word, awakens the conscience to know the evil of sin and its consequences, transforms believers through the preaching of the Word, and works through the counsel of other Christian friends with the result that believers clearly know what is right and what is wrong. To conceal one’s transgressions is to start a pattern of trespassing that leads to one’s own destruction.

“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1 ESV). The one who is trespassing against God, His Law, and against the Christian community is by definition moving himself away from the very people who love him and desire his good. He isolates himself, shielding himself from the advice of the very people who love him. As one fulfills his destructive desires, he is more quickly and more intentionally moving into enemy territory.

What breaks the power of sin? It is confession. When one confesses he has run into enemy territory, consorted with the hosts of hell, and defied God. Confession is telling and admitting to God how great is one's sin and misery. He is admitting he is far past his power to save himself. Jesus is the Rescuer of those who are caught in this present evil age (Galatians 1:4). It is only when a man admits he helpless and completely powerless that he stops fighting the salvation of Jesus.

Then, forsake the sin. Renounce the sin and abandon the practice of it and run from the things associated with it. Christians cannot toy with sin, or spend time thinking about past sins without immediately getting aroused to try them once again. The brain which had been trained to sin, must now, for the rest of one’s life, be continually retrained, by the renewing of one’s mind, to walk in the pathway of life.

Those who confess their sins and forsake them will obtain mercy. It is the free gift of the Father. He redeems His people to Himself through the blood of Jesus. He seals His people as His Own through the work of the Spirit. However, be warned, the temptation might be to sin knowing there is forgiveness and mercy just around the corner. What happens, however, is that sin hardens the heart and deadens the conscience so that there is less and less desire for confession and the forsaking sin. The ultimate goal of the Devil is to get a man to play with sin until he is so captivated, he is enjoying a banquet of sin in the grave. The ultimate goal of Christ is the glory of the Father. Jesus leads Christians, captives from the wars with Satan, in His victory parade so that He will bring them to the presence of the Father as the purified people. The Spirit of God will change the heart, life and mind of dedicated Christians so that their desire is more, more of Jesus.

Glorious Father, that You for the grace and peace which flow to Your people through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Blessed Jesus, You gave Yourself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, and You accomplished this according to the will of our God and Father. Blessings and honour, praise and glory, dominion and worship belong to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ghi-48bqqDE?si=rTd0lrhyE1O7rHo8 “Rescue Story” Zach Williams

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