Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5
When we face the temptation to sin, the consequences of sin are often far from our minds. The truth is that every sin has consequences. One hundred percent of the time, sin leads us down a path we never wanted to go. When we consider the consequences of sin, we can more confidently say "no" to temptations that arise.
David was a man who understood the impact of his sin, and he wrote about it in Psalm 32. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long” (verse 3). David’s sin literally consumed him. It was causing his body to rot away. Have you been there? Have you ever found yourself stuck in sin that was literally consuming you and destroying your life? Sin not only impacts those we sin against, but it also greatly impacts us.
There is a better way than giving in to temptation and being stuck in sin. That is why David wrote, “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (verse 5). David found freedom and life when he confessed his sin and walked away from it.
Joseph also understood the consequences of sin, and he thought about those consequences when he faced the temptation to lust in Genesis 39. The wife of Potiphar lusted after him and said, “Come and sleep with me” (verse 7). Joseph immediately refused, considering the consequences of giving in to that temptation and sinning. He understood that he had a great relationship with Potiphar, who trusted him greatly, and doing such a thing would change their relationship forever. That would be just one of the dire consequences of giving in to that temptation and sinning.
Make no mistake, my friend. Our sin has grave consequences. We will never walk away from sin without any consequences. May we have the wisdom to walk away from sin when we are tempted and find the freedom in walking in obedience.
When you face temptation today, pause. Think about the consequences of giving in to that temptation and sinning. Let the reminder of the consequences of sin, whether lust or something else, compel you to say “no” to any temptation that you face.
Psalm 32:1-11
1Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. 7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. 11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
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