A Time to Keep Silent and a Time to SpeakSample

Do not remain silent when you have sinned

“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” (Psalm 32:3)

David was feeling terrible. He felt God's hand pressing heavily on him. Why? Because he had sinned and wouldn't admit it. He tried to just go on with his life. But he soon discovered that was impossible. Unconfessed sin took away all his joy in life. There was only one solution: “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’” (Psalm 32:5). That was the right move, for the same verse continues, “… and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” What a relief! Now David could breathe again. All was well again between the Lord and him.

James 5:16 adds to this. If we have sinned, it is good to confess it to fellow believers as well. That way the sin is brought to light and our spiritual brothers and sisters can pray for us. This is important, because “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

So don't struggle alone with your sins and problems. Talk about them with someone you trust, maybe someone from your church. Confess your sins to God. Then you will experience forgiveness and healing. For “if we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). What a relief!