”Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13New International Version (NIV)
Proverbs 28:13 Devotional
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper
Proverbs 28:13 reveals that when we conceal sin, we cannot prosper. This is because concealing (hiding) sin is a way of continuing sin. And continuing in sin is a bad idea. It will hinder you from obtaining mercy from God.
Therefore, when we sin, we have to choose between either concealing it or confessing it. And confessing and renouncing sin is the way to receive God’s mercy, which is the foundation for His prosperity.
1 John 1:9
Proverbs chapter 28 verse 13 also echoes the truth of 1 John 1:9. But it does it in another way.
Whereas John states the result of the confession of sin in the positive sense, the Wise man warns us of the consequences and danger of not confessing (dealing with) our sins immediately. That is, the sinner shall not prosper.
John, therefore, encourages us to confess our sins for when we do, God will forgive us. Meaning that the hiding of sin will hinder success or victory or breakthrough.
Additionally, James, in his letter’s fifth chapter, verse sixteen, says that we “confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed”. Consequently, even confessing to each other is profitable. It leads to healing.
Concealing sin is not profitable
Therefore, whether it is the fear of reprisals, or the desire to save face in our circles, concealing sin is not profitable. And it will never be profitable.
In Joshua 7:1, Achan is recorded to have taken some of the devoted things, thus, making God’s anger burned against Israel. Therefore, Achan’s sin affected the entirety of Israel.
Moreover, hiding sin also leads to more sin as evidenced by David’s account in 2 Samuel 11-12. After he had slept with Uriah’s wife, he had him killed in order to hide his sin. And in Psalm 32, David does confess that “when he was hiding his sin, his body wasted away, and he didn’t have the strength” (Psalm 32:3-4).
Confessing sin is profitable
But prophet Nathan exposed David’s sin to him. And David repented, and he and Bathsheba went on to have Solomon, who turned out to be a very great king.
Therefore, from Proverbs chapter 28 verse 13, notice that there are two things to do: confession and renunciation of sin. Confession and renunciation of sin are what lead to receiving God’s mercy.
Consequently, we must first confess our sins. Thereafter, second, we have to renounce them – stop or forsake them.
As a matter of fact, victory over sin doesn’t end at confession. It has to proceed or progress to abandoning or leaving behind the sin. Then prosperity shall be your portion.
Prayer/Blessing
I pray that you may purpose to confess and renounce all known sins. And may God help you to identify the unknown, forgotten, and hidden ones.
Daily Bible Reading
Mark 10-11 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
