"Confess and You Will Be Forgiven" - Psalm 32 - Nathan Edwards

Why is the way of confession better than the way of hiding our sin?

Outline: The way of hiding vs. the way of confessing our sin…

Four consequences to the way of hiding:

Consequence 1: Deceit 2b in whose spirit is no deceit.

Consequence 2: Discipline vv. 3-4 your hand was heavy on me

Consequence 3: Dullness v. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule

Consequence 4: Disaster v. 6b the rising of the mighty waters

Four gifts to the way of confessing:

Gift 1: Cleared (v.1-2a) Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven

Gift 2: Cleansed (v. 5) And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Gift 3: Communion (v 7-8) I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Gift 4: Cheerfulness (v. 11) Rejoice in the LORD and be glad

Personal Reflection Questions:

1. What are some of the ways hiding makes itself seem more appealing than confessing?

2. Read 2 Samuel 11:2-17. What does David do to hide his sin? What lessons does this story teach you about the way of hiding sin?

3. Look at the consequences of hiding. How does the way of hiding make confession harder as time goes by? What does this teach about the best time to confess?

4. The word used for forgive is “to lift or carry.” How does recognizing forgiveness requires someone else to bear the sin, reveal how costly a gift it is to forgive?

5. Read Luke 15:11-24. How do you see the father bearing the cost of his son’s sin? How does this story show the gifts of communion and cheerfulness that come with confession?

6. If you met someone burdened with guilt, how might you testify to them that the way of confession is much better than the way of hiding?

7. Pray for one another for God to reveal any way of hiding in us and give thanks that God forgives us and will forgive us.