There was a time when I couldn’t admit what a sinner I was. My dishonesty made me miserable, filling my days with frustration. All day and night, Your hand was heavy on me, Lord. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally confessed all my sins to You and stopped hiding them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
—Psalm 32:3-5“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9
“I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” —Hebrews 8:12
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” —Romans 8:1
Ponder these verses. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Who can walk this path without sin? Is there anyone on this earth who can honestly say they sin no more? Yet, didn’t Jesus say, “Go and sin no more”? God knows we’re at war with ourselves in this world. Self-control and discipline are vital steps toward freedom from sin, but I’ve learned two key truths: God always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13), and nothing we do can atone for our sins. We are forgiven because of what Christ did. Sometimes, we forget this and let the deceiver whisper that we’re worthless, until one day we wake up buried in guilt.
God doesn’t want us to walk in pain, like placing pebbles in our shoes. Instead, He calls us to be accountable, confess, and repent. There’s no room for guilt when the Lord’s grace washes us as pure as snow—that’s why we need Jesus in the first place.
When you stumble, don’t push away the hand reaching down to lift you. Embrace it, confess, and turn from that sin. The Lord will renew you, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
—Psalm 139:14