Spiritual Discipline // CONFESSION
By Isaac Hovet
A confession (Written Easter Sunday):
I have just finished watching episode 1 of season 2 of The Chosen. While watching it I realized that my heart has been victimized by this last year. Conflict has allowed resentment and bitterness and self-righteousness to calcify my heart. I am like James and John. I need the grace of Jesus. And, his gentle finger is in my chest. Just wanted to tell the world that the message of Jesus, the person of Jesus and the work of Jesus is still changing me. I look forward to some prayer and Bible reading and meditation this week. I probably have some apologies to make.
Confession is agreeing with what God says is true. When we use our mouth to affirm God’s truth about right and wrong and about the condition of our hearts, we are brought back into alignment with God and with truth. Confession is the foundation of living by the Spirit. Jesus said that the Spirit would lead us to all truth, but until we agree with the Spirit’s truth-telling in our lives, we will not be on a path that leads to life and life in full.
13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 16:13 (NASB)
APPLICATION
I don’t have to think too long or too hard to find sinful thoughts or actions or even feelings. Usually they are pretty obvious. But, it takes a few moments of reflection. And, the more difficult thing is to use my mouth to agree with the errors that I see. My mouth is a powerful tool that gets me back on track with what is true.
- Choose to take 5 minutes to quiet yourself.
- Think of your recent regrets and mistakes.
- Out loud tell God that you have been wrong.
- Receive his forgiveness.
- Write out what you need to do to make amends.