He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
— PROVERBS 28:13 —
Santiago Armel: Instituto de Expositores | USA
In recent studies, 33 percent of surveyed pastors admitted to viewing pornography on a regular basis. Only four percent, however, sought help or confessed their sin to someone else. The statistics are stunning, but the real-life condition of those who do not confess their sin is far worse. Sin is at the door of everyone’s life (in more ways than just sexual immorality) and, unfortunately, all give in at some point. The consequences of sin without repentance are massive. Sin wants to convince you that it is harmless, that you have control. Yet, after it has deceived you, it destroys you. Today’s proverb tells us that there are two possible responses to an act of sin. Those who continually disguise, evade, or deny their sin will not prosper. The one who prefers to mask in self-pity, yet stinks of sin, will not find compassion. The consequences of sin without repentance are massive. Sin wants to convince you that it is harmless, that you have control. Yet, after it has deceived you, it destroys you. The loss of your ministry or the destruction of your family is only part of the pain you will feel. You will also offend the One who loves you the most, the One who gave His life on the cross to give you freedom from that dreadful sin. The second (and biblical) response to sin finds true freedom and compassion. God has ordained that repentance be the antidote to the deadly poison of sin (1 John 1:9). This proverb teaches that the one who confesses his iniquities and departs with diligence from them will be reconciled to God and others. Reader, today is the day to deal with sin in your life. Today is the day to confess it and abandon it. Then, you will obtain mercy.
