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Presented by Lisa Bishop
There are so many areas of our lives that require courage. From changing jobs to admitting when you make a mistake, taking a risk and trying something new, staying in a friendship when it gets hard, making amends with a co-worker, or apologizing to a spouse. There is no end to the list of things and circumstances that require us to muster up courage. Courage is said to be the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Another way I have heard courage defined that has a bit more depth to it is this:
“Courage is the ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.”
I love this definition because it goes beyond just persevering through fear. I hear hope in it. You aren’t just mustering up the determination to push through something that causes anxiety and distress just for the sake of it; you have a greater intention and mission. You are committed to conjuring up courage because there is a greater motive, something much bigger at stake.
Several weeks ago, I watched a movie, Luther: The Fallen Sun. My friend picked it and I had no clue what the movie was about before we started watching it (otherwise I may have declined). The movie is about former Detective Chief Inspector John Luther’s pursuit of a serial killer, David Robey. David, the villain in the movie, uses in-home technology to surveil and then blackmail his victims. Somehow, he finds a way to secretly spy on what appears to be everyday ordinary people, invading their privacy. He has, unbeknownst to them, infiltrated their lives giving him a window into their deepest darkest secrets, which in the cruelest of ways he ends up using against them. He essentially capitalizes on their shame for their immoral acts. The movie is not explicit about what those acts are—they are left to the viewer’s imagination. But as I watched the diversity of those victimized by the leverage the serial killer had on them for knowing their dirt, one could surmise the misgivings committed most likely ranged from what may be considered small to greater transgressions that ended in disgrace.
You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with the connection between courage and confession?” I am glad you asked. The answer is summed up in one line in the movie. When Detective Luther is asked how the serial killer is able to commit such heinous crimes and manipulate people to take their own lives, Luther responds, “He’s probably figured out that in the right circumstances, the fear of shame, the fear of being called out, the fear of being caught is way more powerful than the fear of death.”
Now this statement may sound like an extreme example, but the truth is, the feeling of shame that is induced by the fear of our sin being exposed can destroy and torment us.
We have all experienced the weight of shame at some point in our lives. Shame is defined as, “a painful emotion caused by the awareness of having done something wrong, dishonorable or foolish.”
David Robey was the villain in the movie that caused people to be so entrenched in shame that they saw no way out, leading them to hide in isolation which was his ultimate form of manipulation. Their shame had so overcome them, that they would rather die than be exposed. Satan is your enemy, the villain in your life, and he will make every attempt to hold you hostage and in bondage to the things that you are ashamed of. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-9:
“Stay alert! (other versions say be vigilant, watchful, sober-minded; meaning free from intoxicating influences). Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (NLT).
The devil is looking for any way he can to shake your faith and monopolize your weaknesses. He will do anything to lure you into the trap of sin and he will use shame as a way to hold you in captivity. That is why, fellow believer, it is absolutely vital that we have the courage to confess. The courage to confess our sins and transgressions, to God, and to others. Because shame is a powerful force that will drive your life, it will cause you to hide.
Confessing our sin to other Christians is not a suggestion. James 5:16 commands, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” While that command comes in the context of seeking healing, it also fulfills the intent of 1 John 1:6-7; “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” While walking in the light means living in the pursuit of holiness, it also includes living in transparency with others.
Well-known author Detrich Bonhoeffer writes this in his book Life Together:
“He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone…. Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous his isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light. In the darkness of the unexpressed, it poisons the whole being of a person. …And that solitude, whether it feels lonely or not, is a dangerous state. It’s dangerous because it leaves us alone with our sin…. …In confession, the light of the Gospel breaks into the darkness and seclusion of the heart….”
“In confession, the light of the Gospel breaks into the darkness and seclusion of the heart.”
We see the expression of confession from King David in Psalm 32:1-5:
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them 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 on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 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.
We don’t know the events that led up to this song of confession, but we know that throughout David’s life, he committed many transgressions. From deceit to adultery, to murder. You may be saying, “My sin isn’t that great.” But remember what Jesus said, in Matthew 5:28, “anyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” When God searches our hearts with a fine tooth comb it is not to condemn us but to protect us from getting swallowed up by sin.
As a follower of Jesus, we are called to confess, acknowledge, and admit our sins to God and to one another. Sin loses its power when we bring it into the light. Jesus took on your shame. Have the courage to confess and endure the initial pain of embarrassment or fear of being found out for the greater gain of taking hold of the grace and freedom you have been freely given in Christ.
And when you are tempted to settle for less than freedom in Christ and your flesh tries to wrestle you away from holy living remember,
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).
You are not alone. Another thing Satan tries to convince you of is that you are the only one that struggles with sinful thoughts, words, and actions but Romans 3:23-25a (NLT) reminds us that;
Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
Should we use grace as a license to sin? No. As Romans 6:1-2 instructs,
…should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
But do remember and hold tight to the truth of Romans 8:1-2;
…There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Again, confession takes courage. The courage to show up and let the messiest parts of yourself be exposed and seen. Confession takes humility. Don’t let pride or fear of rejection keep you from the ultimate freedom of confession. And be discerning about who you choose to confess to. It should be someone wise and who has proven themselves trustworthy – someone who is a solid and mature follower of Jesus and will hold your confession in confidence; a pastor, a counselor, a ministry leader at your church. A cherished friend who has demonstrated they are able to hold your secret sins with non-judgment, who will remind you of your identity in Christ and who also will not let you continue to tolerate your transgressions.
No sin is too small to bring into the light. That’s part of the problem, in my opinion, we overlook what we think are minor offenses towards God but they can result in erecting tall fences between us, God, and others. Remember, you do not want to give the devil any crack or crevice where he can create a foothold. And not only confess, repent, turn the other way, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, break the sin habit.
Remember Romans 2:4;
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to lead you to repentance, to turn you from your sin?
What sin are you currently concealing? Maybe you have been lacking integrity at work. Or telling white lies, falling into pride, self-righteousness, lust, envy, gluttony, or gossip; unforgiveness, hatred, and self-pity. Perhaps you are secretly struggling with an addiction, affair, or enslavement to pornography. Even the sin we label as “small” has a way of influencing us and impacting our lives and those around us. For the past two years during my quiet time in the morning, I journal what I am grateful for, and what I am confessing. Confession is a way of casting your burdens on Jesus. It is an invitation for God to transform that part of your heart and mind that is still living in the flesh and not completely in the abundant life Jesus came to give you. Have the courage to confess because sin is a slippery slope. You were created to have life and life to the fullest in Jesus. Acknowledge your sin to God. Confide in a friend who will hold what you share in confidence, stand with you in prayer, and remind you of the grace, love, compassion, and forgiveness of Jesus. Because it is for freedom that Christ set you free. Stand firm then, confess and experience the fullness of the forgiveness and freedom that has been purchased for you on the cross.
Know that you are deeply loved and highly favored. If you are not yet a follower of Jesus and you want the freedom and grace that comes by receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior, we would love the opportunity to pray with you and connect you with resources to build your faith. Send us an email at tcww@christianworkingwoman.org. If this ministry has blessed you, we would love for you to partner with us financially so that we can to continue to bring resources to help you and others grow in your faith in Jesus Christ. You can give on our website https://christianworkingwoman.org/give/, or call our office at 630-462-0552.