Confession Model
King David was a great sinner, but he was also a great confessor.
Roger Barrier

Topics:	Accountability, Character, Forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Mistakes, Repentance, Restoration, Sin
Filters:	Discipleship, Pastor, Prayer, Small group leader
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Psalm 32:1-5
Date Added:	July 30, 2007

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Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah;

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Character Check
Allow God to search your heart today.

In Business Terms
[Unless I make an effort to confess my sins to God,] I can muddle on in my interaction with him for weeks, even years. John writes, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, KJV).

I've discovered that my fellowship with God is restored when my confession is specific. Each sin needs individual attention. Today my confession model is simple. When I realize I have sinned, I detail to God what I did and then say, "I agree with you that what I did was wrong." I ask God to forgive me and then affirm my intention never to commit that sin again. I pray on a regular basis the prayer in Psalm 139: "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (w. 23-2423-24, NIV).

I wait quietly for God to bring unconfessed sin to my attention. The Holy Spirit is very specific: "At 4 p.m. last Tuesday, Roger, you did this and this and this."

—Roger Barrier

Something to Think About
I have more trouble with D.L. Moody than any other man I know.
– D. L. Moody

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