The Joys Of Spilling Your Guts Series

2. Ps 38:3-4, 8, James 5:16, Hos 6:1,

3. Illustration: one writer described it as a river that has been dammed up, Las Vegas now has a call-in “Connection Confession” line where people can call and confess their sins to a recording. America’s first confession line makes it possible, for a fee of $9 per three minutes, to record your sin and if you want to pay a little more you can listen to other people’s sins. Apparently the service is being bombarded by calls. One of the originators said, "It’s a technological way to get something off your chest without the embarrassment that comes from confessing one on one." During Sunday school I was trying to teach the children that we all need God’s forgiveness. After the Bible story I asked on of the girls, "Lisa, when is a time you might need God’s forgiveness?" Her blank stare prompted a response from my son. "It’s okay, Lisa. You don’t have to tell her." Then he turned to me and said, "We don’t have to tell you our problems. This isn’t the Oprah Winfrey Show."

4. Sin wreaks havoc upon us physically. We may chalk it up to “depression” or “stress” or “burnout,” but usually those things have causes. If you have been harsh with your spouses, neighbors, or bosses and have made things tense/stressful. If you are harboring secret sin that nobody knows. If you are being unwise financially and bringing hopelessness. And you can take meds for it, not against that categorically, but you need to let the medication, or vacation, or alone time, or whatever you are doing to ease the stress, let it help, but deal with the root! It could be selfishness, pride, anger, self-sufficiency, but God is bringing adversity to help you be conformed to the likeness of Christ. How are you doing? Confess sin, be healed.

C. Spiritual Joys (v. 4-5)

1. Spiritually speaking the blessings spoken about with regard to confession are many. The opposite of all the pitfalls are true; guilt will be “lifted,” (literal meaning of “forgave” in v. 5); body will be healthier, etc. The spiritual vitality of a believer who is walking with a clean slate will be light years ahead. Another is that God will be his hiding place, preservation in trials, and songs of deliverance. Believers will a clean slate will have better direction from God that if they have unconfessed sin. Confessed up believers will have greater understanding because the Spirit of Holiness will have freer operation to prune, teach, and instruct. Clean believers will have mercy in troubles and sorrows unlike those that harbor sin. Also those upright in heart will have deep seated spiritual joy. Unconfessed sin leads to joylessness, which leads most to ensure that others around them are miserable too. So those with unconfessed sin may become picky, bitter, self-absorbed, concerned with minor things, because their joy is hindered.

2. Ps 69:5, 38:18, Luke 15:17-21

3. Illustration: Four preachers met for a friendly gathering. During the conversation one preacher said, "Our people come to us and pour out their hearts, confess certain sins and needs. Let's do the same. Confession is good for the soul." In due time all agreed. One confessed he liked to go to movies (the story is just a little dated) and would sneak off when away from his church. The second confessed to liking to smoke cigars and the third one confessed to liking to play cards. When it came to the fourth one, he wouldn't confess. The others pressed him saying, "Come now, we confessed ours. What is your secret or vice?" Finally he answered, "It is gossiping and I can hardly wait to get out of here." There you have it, CONFESSION--admission but no intent to change. He said he didn't want the money, but she finally persuaded him to take it, and came back with a joy and peace that made her face radiant. She became a magnificent worker for souls, and led many into the light.