The Holy Spirit

How thankful we should be that we are “not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (I Peter 1: 18-19)  It is the blood of Christ that is the only solution to mankind’s sin problem.

Every redeemed person knows that there are still times when we commit sin.  We do not want to, we seek to avoid it, and we do not live in sin.  So, what should be the response of the believer when the Holy Spirit convicts of some sin?

There are several ways we do respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  But there is only one way that is right for the believer to respond.

1.    We may try to hide our sin, cover it up so “nobody knows.”  But “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

2.     We may compare ourselves to others and try to convince ourselves, “I am not so bad.”  But, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

3.     We may make a “religious excuse” for our sin like King Saul did in I Samuel 15:21.  But, “Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

4.     We may deny our sin and proclaim our innocence.  But, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8)

5.     We should confess our sin.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

Confession is not going to another human and telling them what you have done.  The word means “to say the same thing.”  So confession of sin means I say the same things about my sin that God says about it, and I say it to God!

When King David had sinned, the Holy Spirit was convicting him.  Listen to what he says about his life while he was trying to hide his sin. 

“When I kept silent, my bones grew old
                 Through my groaning all the day long.
                 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
                 My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.” (Psalm 32: 3-4 NKJV)

Listen to his description of life now. 

           “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
            Whose sin is covered.
            Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
            And in whose spirit there is no deceit.”  (Psalm 32:1-2 NKJV)

Which kind of life do you want?  I trust we will live practicing confessing our sin as soon as the Spirit convicts us.