Elephant in the Room — The Threat of Sin - Tuesday
Today’s Verse
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (ESV)
This summer marked 15 years of following Jesus for me, and as I reflect over all the highs and lows of stumbling toward Him in imperfect obedience, I’ve noticed an interesting theme. The seasons of my greatest growth have always involved one biblical practice. This practice was at the center of my coming to faith, it was at the center of one of the hardest (yet, most spiritually purifying) years of my life, and it continues to be a vital part of my formation year after year.
So, what is this practice? Confession.
Confession can take many forms, but at its core, it’s the practice of telling the truth. It’s the act of aligning our hearts and lips with reality, whether that’s the supremacy of Jesus (Romans 10:9) or the uncleanliness of our hearts (1 John 1:9). It’s saying what is true about God and ourselves, proclaiming His holiness and admitting our fallenness. And according to James, it's the path to our healing.
APPLICATION
Yesterday, I invited you to set aside 15 minutes to use Psalm 139 as a guide for you to examine your heart with the help of the Holy Spirit. If you have yet to do so, go back to yesterday’s devo and begin there. You should now have a list of ways you have missed or are currently missing the mark according to God’s good and perfect will.
Today, I want to invite you to take that list to someone you trust. Someone who won’t judge or condemn you, but will listen with the grace and truth of Jesus (John 8:10-11). Take a moment to consider who that person might be, and then make a plan to reach out to them this week (maybe even give them a call this afternoon). And if someone doesn’t come to mind, reach out to us, and we would love to sit with and listen to you.
For some of us, this could be a turning point in our faith. Here’s what I mean: What could happen if you decided to not allow fear to stop you from airing out your dirty laundry? What if Jesus is inviting you to walk freely in the light (1 John 1:7)? And for others your confession may actually serve as a catalyst for someone else to experience the healing of Jesus through your willingness to share first. Wherever you may be, may God guide you as you step out in obedience to His Son.
PRAYER
Father, give us the courage to be obedient to the biblical command to confess our sins to one another.