It\u2019s the middle of the night and you are enjoying a restful night when a high-pitched, piercing sound suddenly breaks through the quiet, stillness and startles you awake. You realize that the smoke detector has been set off by the presence of smoke in your home. But instead of addressing the issue you pull your pillow over your head and try to return to the peaceful rest you had been enjoying just moments before.<\/p>\n
Would you ever do this? The answer is obviously \u201cNO!\u201d The situation needs immediate attention.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately when it comes to sin<\/em>, we often are guilty of covering our head in hopes that the piercing noise of our conscience will quiet down and go away. Why do we do this?\u00a0 Why do we insist on covering our heads and plugging our ears instead of addressing the problem? The problem is not our conscience but sin<\/em> that has set of our conscience.\u00a0What then is the remedy? How are we supposed to Biblically address our internal \u201csin detector<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Many Christians live defeated lives simply because of failing to Biblically confess their sins and in turn live their lives filled with the noise of guilt\u2014a guilty conscience.\u00a0 How hard would it be to live in a home while the smoke detector is sounding constantly? How stressful would it be to try to carry on conversations and lead a normal life? How productive would a person be in this environment?<\/p>\n Often we try to quiet our conscience by engaging in something to try to distract us from thinking about our noisy soul\u2014our guilty conscience. \u00a0Just as we would never go and remove the battery to silence the smoke detector in order to remedy the problem we must learn to stop trying to silence our conscience by any other means than God’s way\u2014the Biblical way.<\/p>\n Consider with me Psalm 51 as we look to Biblically address our \u201csin detector<\/em>.\u201d The title of gives us some insight into the circumstances surrounding this psalm; \u201cwhen Nathan the prophet came unto [David], after he had gone in to Bathsheba.<\/em>\u201d Nathan comes to King David and says, \u201cThou are the man<\/em>!\u201d (2 Samuel 12:7)<\/span><\/p>\n Has your conscience ever called out to you in a piercing voice, \u201cYou are the man\/ woman!\u201d<\/strong>?<\/p>\n Here in Psalm 51 we see a \u201cPrecious Truth\u201d regarding the confession of sin.\u00a0 What does true confession look like?\u00a0It begins with action<\/em>\u2014turning<\/em> toward God and considering Who He is and what is He like. When we sin we turn away from God and separate ourselves from Him.<\/p>\n Isaiah tells us what our sin does to our fellowship with God. He says,\u00a0\u201cBehold, the LORD’S<\/strong> hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His<\/strong> ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities [sins<\/em>] have separated between you and your God<\/strong>, and your sins have hid His<\/em><\/strong> face from you, that He<\/strong> will not hear.\u201d (Isaiah 59:1-2)<\/span><\/p>\n In order to be in right fellowship once again we must turn back to Him in repentance. This is what we see taking place here in Psalm 51. David cries out to the Lord saying, \u201cHave mercy upon me, O God<\/strong>, according to Thy <\/strong>lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy<\/strong> tender mercies blot out my transgressions [willful disobedience<\/em>].\u201d (Psalm 51:1)<\/span><\/p>\n Question to answer: \u201cWho is God and what is He like?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n David turns back to\u00a0God and pleads for mercy\u2014this mercy that is based upon God\u2019s unfailing love. David relies upon what he KNOWS to be true about his God. Keep in mind that God loves to forgive\u2014He wants to forgive us from our sin. It is important to understand who God is, what He likes, and what He dislikes.<\/p>\n The prophet Micah puts it this way, \u201cWho is<\/em> a God<\/strong> like unto Thee<\/strong>, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His<\/strong> heritage? He<\/strong> retaineth not H<\/strong>is<\/strong> anger forever, because He<\/strong> delighteth in<\/em> mercy.\u201d (Micah 7:18)<\/span><\/p>\n Notice that God \u201cpardons sin<\/em>\u201d\u2014He forgives and He does not hold onto \u201cHis anger forever, because He<\/em> delights in mercy<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing that God is a merciful and forgiving God leads to a peace that surpasses all understanding (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:8-9).<\/p>\n Next we see a request<\/em>\u2014cleansing is a work of God. David asks God, \u201cWash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.\u201d (Psalm 51:2)<\/span> \u00a0He asks God to make him clean again as his sin has defiled him.<\/p>\n To be \u201cthroughly<\/em>\u201d cleansed is to be washed repeatedly with intensity. Think of a washboard.\u00a0Biblically cleansing<\/em> comes through confession<\/em>. \u201cIf we confess our sins, He<\/strong> is faithful and just to forgive us our<\/em> sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d (1 John 1:9)<\/span><\/p>\n What does improper<\/em> confession look and sound like? The most frequent is simply, \u201cI\u2019m sorry!<\/em>\u201d (for what?) or \u201cI\u2019m sorry that you were offended!<\/em>\u201d How about, \u201cI\u2019m sorry that you took it wrong!<\/em>\u201d Each of these take no responsibility for our sin and places the blame on the other person.<\/p>\n So what is proper, Biblical confession? We first have seen two actions\u2014a turning<\/em> to God and making request<\/em> for cleansing. Consider with me six<\/em> steps in the confession process. The first three deal with what we acknowledge<\/em> while the last three reveals<\/em> the heart of true confession.<\/p>\n #1 \u2013 Confession of sin is acknowledging our personal responsibility<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is<\/em> ever before me.\u201d (Psalm 51:3)<\/span><\/p>\n David takes full responsibility as he \u201cacknowledges his transgressions<\/em>\u201d\u2014there is no blame-shifting.\u00a0He says, \u201cmy sin is ever before me<\/em>\u201d\u2014this is the reality of the memory<\/em> of that sin. When properly dealt with, thus having the confidence of forgiveness, this memory<\/em> will be a reminder to help to keep us from sin. But when we fail to deal with our sin Biblically it brings guilt, which is by design in order to bring us to repentance.<\/p>\n #2 \u2013 Confession of sin is acknowledging who I have offended<\/em>. (v. 4a)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAgainst Thee<\/strong>, Thee<\/strong> only, have I sinned,\u2026\u201d (Psalm 51:4a)<\/span><\/p>\n All sin is an offence against God as it is a violation of His law.\u00a0 When we sin we dishonor the Lord. David was not only sorry for the consequences of his sin. He was sorry for the sin itself as he was grieved over the fact that he offended God in breaking His law. We must always confess our sin to Him as well as others we have wronged.<\/p>\n #3 \u2013 Confession of sin is acknowledging the extent of my sin<\/em>. (v. 4b)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c\u2026and done this<\/em> evil in Thy<\/strong> sight: that Thou<\/strong> mightest be justified when Thou<\/strong> speakest, and<\/em> be clear when Thou<\/strong> judgest. \u201d (Psalm 51:4b)<\/span><\/p>\n Literally the word \u201cconfess\u201d speaks of saying the same thing<\/em>. It is properly defining sin the way God defines it and NOT in the way we define it. We fail to confess when we justify or make excuses about our sin\u2014why it was justifiable under those circumstances. Proper confession only comes when we see our sin as God sees it.<\/p>\n #4 \u2013 Confession of sin reveals a change of heart<\/em> (v. 13)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThen<\/em> will I teach transgressors Thy<\/strong> ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee<\/strong>.\u201d (Psalm 51:13)<\/span><\/p>\n That night on the roof top along with the days following, David was concerned only about himself (2 Samuel 11). He hurt so many people in the process. Now we see his heart has changed as he desires to be used in helping others.<\/p>\n One who has been restored to right fellowship with God can be useful once again in helping others be restored. This can be in the form of openness about our sin and its consequences while giving testimony of God\u2019s mercy. A truly repentant heart will seek to help others. Consider Jesus\u2019 words to Peter about his ministry that he would have after his denial of Christ.<\/p>\n Jesus says, \u201cBut I<\/strong> have prayed for thee [Peter], that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted [restored\/ reconciled<\/em>], strengthen thy brethren.\u201d (Luke 22:32)<\/span><\/p>\n The reality is that God desires to use broken and forgiven people. He sees value in those who have genuinely repented of their sin.<\/p>\n #5 \u2013 Confession of sin reveals a grateful heart<\/em> (v. 15)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cO Lord<\/strong>, open Thou<\/strong> my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy<\/strong> praise.\u201d (Psalm 51:15)<\/span><\/p>\n Where David\u2019s lips had been sealed in shame he now asks the Lord to open them in praise. David\u2019s desire is to worship the Lord and tell others about God\u2019s greatness. He sees himself as an undeserving soul whom God spared. His grateful heart is seen in the praise he gives to God as he acknowledges Him for His unfailing love and tender mercy, rehearsing these powerful truths to anyone who would listen.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd He<\/strong> hath put a new song in my mouth, even<\/em> praise unto our God<\/strong>: many shall see it,<\/em> and fear, and shall trust in the LORD<\/strong>.\u201d (Psalm 40:3)<\/span><\/p>\n #6 \u2013 Confession of sin reveals a humble heart<\/em> (v. 17)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe sacrifices of God<\/strong> are<\/em> a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God<\/strong>, Thou<\/strong> wilt not despise [treat as worthless<\/em>].\u201d (Psalm 51:17)<\/span><\/p>\n The \u201csacrifices<\/em>\u201d or worship of God that are acceptable to Him come from a \u201cbroken and a contrite heart.<\/em>\u201d This kind of heart is one that grieves being\u00a0intensely broken over their\u00a0own sin. It is seeing sin as God sees it and in turn being truly broken before God.<\/p>\n It is seeing the effects of our sin upon God as His heart is broken when He sees us choose to sin instead of obey Him. It is acknowledging that our sin was the reason that God\u2019s Son chose to take up our cross in order to suffer and die in our place. Being \u201cbroken and contrite<\/em>\u201d is genuinely saying, \u201cWoe is me<\/em>!\u201d as Isaiah did in Isaiah 6:5.<\/p>\n \u201cThen said I, \u2018Woe is<\/em> me! for I am undone; because I am<\/em> a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King<\/strong>, the LORD<\/strong> of hosts.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Isaiah saw God in such a real way as to bring to light his own wretchedness in comparison.\u00a0 Against the backdrop of a thrice holy God, Isaiah realized that even his most minute sin caused him to be unfit and undeserving to be able to stand in the Lord\u2019s presence.\u00a0Genuine confession reveals a humble heart that sees how unworthy I am to stand, as a sinner, in the presence of an infinitely holy & righteous God because of the perfect work of my Savior.<\/p>\n In all of these aspects of confession we see genuine repentance\u2014we see the change of mind<\/em> about our sin which leads to a change of life<\/em>. True heart-felt confession shows change<\/em>\u00a0of behavior not just hollow\u00a0words<\/em>.<\/p>\n When we humbly read and receive\u00a0this psalm\u00a0and see God’s unfailing love, mercy, grace and His willingness and readiness to forgive the repentant soul, it\u00a0will bring us to our knees in worship being in awe of the greatness of our God.<\/p>\n In conclusion, enjoy how the psalm ends, \u201cThen shalt Thou<\/strong> be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine <\/strong>altar. \u201d (Psalm 51:19)<\/span><\/p>\n Be confident that God is pleased when we come to Him, His way! We can then can KNOW that the worship we offer will be worship that He\u00a0accepts.<\/p>\n