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Sin needs to be exposed to the light in order to heal completely.

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22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his tent with the silver underneath. 23 And they took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. And they laid them down before the Lord. 24 And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor.

 

Achan tried to hide his sin but evidence was sought out and revealed before both the people and the Lord. This is what happens with sin. If we don’t uncover it ourselves, God will eventually expose the truth. Jesus teaches the same message to his disciples when he says, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2-3)

The New Testament makes it clear, “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). But, James takes it further and says, “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16). Private confession seems like enough sometimes. If God already knows, why confess to one another? Why dig out the evidence? The process of uncovering can be a beneficial part of restitution. It’s not enough sometimes to merely confess before the Lord. In some cases, sin needs to be exposed to the light in order to heal completely.

The sun is the best disinfectant we have. By leaving something in the dark, bacteria festers and deterioration begins. Bringing something into the light cleanses it and allows it to grow again. Hidden sin can be the same. Without exposing it to the light by confessing it, the strength of temptation may continue to grow underground. Plus, it’s exhausting to hide something and the energy we use cover it up, weakens our spirit. Bringing sin out into the open can frees up our energy and loosens the grip of temptation allowing new life to grow again. Continue reflecting on what sins you need to bring into the light by reading John Piper’s thoughts on appropriate confession before God and others.[/vc_column_text][us_separator height=”25px” size=”custom”][vc_column_text]

By Yvonne Biel 

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