CONFESSETH AND FORSAKETH - Proverbs 28:13
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Adam and Eve sinned when they ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve realized that they were naked and that something had changed as a result of their sin. Later that day when they heard God walking in the garden, they hid themselves because they were ashamed. Adam and Eve attempted to cover their sin and God who sees all did not allow them to get away with their sin or the covering of their sin.
Throughout scripture you see the negative results of those who attempted to cover their sins. Achan took possessions that belonged to God out of the city of Jericho and as a result both he and his family were stoned. Gehazi took garments and riches that Elisha had rejected and he ended up having the leprosy that Naaman had been freed from. Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to both God and their fellow believers by stating that they had sold some property for the amount that they were giving to the church. Both Ananias and Sapphira died in front of the church as an example to all that you cannot deceive God.
God knows that we live in a sinful world. He has told us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. However, if you desire the mercy of God, then you need to confess your sins and you need to turn from your wicked ways. While God has stated that HE is faithful and just to forgive you of all your sins, why do you want to constantly be coming before HIS throne and asking for HIS mercy to forgive you?
You must understand that even though God will show mercy and forgive you, you still must pay the consequences of your actions. David sinned when he committed adultery with Bath-sheba. When Nathan the prophet confronted David, David confessed his sins. Nonetheless, David still had to suffer the consequences of his actions. God forgave David and showed him HIS mercy, but David also faced the judgment of God for his willful disobedience.
Jesus taught us that we are to forgive others regardless of how many times they commit the same offense. God is willing to forgive you as many times as you come and ask HIM to forgive you. God will show you HIS mercy. However, the only way to avoid the judgment of God is to forsake your wicked ways. When you sin, do not simply ask God to forgive you, but start praying that God will give you the strength to avoid falling into the same temptation again.
Becoming a Christian does not make you sinless. Becoming a Christian and taking on the name of Christ should motivate you to sin less. If a person were to come up to you and slug you in the stomach every day and then ask you for forgiveness, after a while you would really be wondering just how serious they were about being sorry for their actions. You are going to sin and fall short of the glory of God. However, you need to turn from your wicked ways. Do not allow yourself to be put in a position that you are vulnerable to committing the same sin over and over again.
You know the areas of your life that you are vulnerable to violate the perfect law of God. Next time you know that you are in a vulnerable place, stop and start reading your Bible and pray. Pray for God to give you the strength to overcome this temptation. Take time to read the Bible so that you will be adding knowledge of the ways of God rather than needing the mercy of God.