Wisdom Leads To Confession Of Sin
Proverbs 28-31
Confession means to acknowledge our faults, or our guiltiness, or our failures.
The Catholic Church teaches that Christ Jesus forgives sins through the priests at confession.
This is taken from John 20:23
Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
The truth is, the power to forgive sins cannot be given by Jesus Christ to any of His ministers!
Only God can forgive sins!
God forgives out of "Grace"!
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Our sins were nailed to the cross that Jesus Christ bore for each of us!
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
This forgiveness forever solves the problem of sin in our lives, all sins past, all sins present, and all future sin.
We must remember Jesus Christ died for the sin of unbelief!
It is unbelief that leads to all other sins!
Our salvation is secure BUT, we will need a daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
This is the truth of the Scriptures and our own wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord!
It is the fear of the Lord that will lead to the confession of our sins!
*****Pro 28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
What is the theme of our world today?
The wicked who forsake the Word of God then exalt the wicked and their evil deeds!
The righteous who keep the Word of God and are considered the enemy!
Those who forsake the Word of God will insist on leaders who are like-minded so they can build their carnal society!
They are greedy and self-serving and insists on their evil agenda!
This is the America of today!
When ungodly leaders and ungodly citizens prevail, any nation will decline and will also suffer the reproach of the world and the condemnation of God!
This is the America of today!
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
It may be already to late to save America but we must not sit idly by while this wickedness dominates our society!
The Bible says to "contend" with those that reject the Word of God!
To "contend" is to defend and preserve!
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith" which was once delivered unto the saints.
We are to remain settled on the truth of the Scriptures, the facts of the Word of God!
We are to stand up!
We are to speak out!
What is the truth of the Scriptures?
*****Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
If we remember the words of Jesus on the cross we can understand this verse.
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus Christ was always thinking of others!
Those that reject the Word of God cannot be expected to make righteous judgments nor can they administer sound justice!
This is also a fact in America where as more and more of these people are appointed to seats of judgment in our justice system.
They are void of the knowledge and the wisdom that is needed and ignorant of the truth!
Understanding can come but from one place and that is knowing the truth of God!
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Without searching for the Lord, He will never be found, yet He is always near!
It is only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God who can have the understanding of true justice!
*****Pro 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
The truth is, the wicked are not so much those that are ignorant of God's law as it is those that turn their ear away and ignore God's law!
It is all those who are ignorant of God's law that we are to witness too and not so much those that hear the Word of God and reject it!
This is why Jesus taught in parables!
To be able to go before God in prayer is an awesome privilege.
We may never have an audience with the President or even with a Governor but we can have an audience with our God at any moment in time!
God is a Father with a desire to do good and a distinct love for mankind and has great delight in hearing from His children.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
When we reject the Word of God, we forfeit the privilege to enter into the presence of God!
God despises the prayers of those who despise the Word of God!
Joh 9:31 Now we know "that God heareth not sinners": but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
It is wisdom that leads to confession and it is confession that leads to answered prayers!
*****Pro 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
If we open our eyes to this world we will see that for the most part, the wicked are arrogant and they consider themselves to be wise.
They simply reject anything that goes against their perceived thoughts.
It is easy to see through their deceit when compared to the Word of God!
It is far better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and have no integrity!
Most of the rich see themselves as being superior to others and they use their wealth as a sign they are simply smarter than the average person.
They deceive themselves into thinking that those who are beneath them are blind to their schemes.
The truth is money simply cannot buy character!
Money simply cannot buy true wisdom!
Their lack of wisdom can be easily seen in their selfish, permissive, and worldly lifestyle!
It is only those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, who can have a clear understanding of life and our world!
It takes a close personal relationship with the Lord to overcome the deceptions of this world!
Pro 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
*****Pro 28:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
What's the truth of our world?
When the wicked rule a nation it is divided and most all people will flee from oppression!
When the righteous rise to power more people will rejoice and most problems are solved.
But remember God says there will always be those who are poor in this world until He returns!
When our government is run by someone that fears the Lord, God's people will celebrate openly and publicly!
When the wicked rule, God's people are forced to hide because they know that oppression is coming.
This is the dread of America!
This is the truth of ISIS!
This is the truth of almost every nation other than Israel!
An unrighteous leader causes grief to all those who reject their agenda!
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Pro 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
The Bible is very clear, it is the love of money that is the root of most all the evil in our world!
*****Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
The Bible is also very clear when it says that sin cannot be hidden!
Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: "and be sure your sin will find you out".
When we are to arrogant to see our own sin and repent of it, we can be sure that our sin will be made known to those that it affects.
We should also remember that those that reject the Lord are already condemned to a sinner's Hell!
If we spend our lives refusing to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can never prosper spiritually!
We can have no fellowship with the Lord.
We will forfeit God's benefits.
Our prayer life will be powerless.
We will stunt our spiritual growth.
Our service to the Lord will be fruitless.
Joy will be far from us!
We will never succeed and prosper in this life we now have.
We must deal with our sin first by confessing it to the Lord!
Confession is recognizing sin as sin, and admitting it to God!
Most people think it ends there, but to be truthful our confession must be accompanied with "repentance"!
Repentance is much more than saying "I'm Sorry", repentance is an action word that means "I'm Going To Travel The Path Of Righteousness"!
Genuine repentance is a complete change of heart and of mind that results in a change of conduct!
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
When we confess our sin then we are in agreement with God that sin can only be atoned by the blood of Jesus Christ!
After confession, must come action on our part before we will ever see the mercy of God!
*****Pro 28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
What is the truth of the Bible?
Those that walk according to the Word of God "shall be saved"!
The upright are safe and secure while those who reject the Word of God "will fall"!
The upright are all those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, innocent and blameless.
Perverse, means to be turned aside, distorted, stubborn and contrary.
He sways right and wrong and also pretends to be pursuing one path while he is really taking another.
These are the traits of the Anti-Christ and they both will fall!
Once he falls he will never rise again!
*****Pro 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
The truth is that our character is in full display by the way we treat others!
Jesus taught that loving others is equal to loving God:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The Apostle Paul taught that loving your neighbor is the fulfillment of all God's commandments:
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The line that separates the upright from the foolish is by the way they treat others!
All those who stubbornly persists in sin will be suddenly destroyed.
God makes this very plain!
Without remedy means that it will be done and there is nothing that can be done about it!
1) There are those who refuse to hear what the Lord has to say and avoid any sort of relationship with Him.
These will be destroyed without remedy!
We can be sure that they have been approached by God.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
At death they will be instantly banished to eternal destruction:
Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
2) Then there are those who have a relationship with God but have returned to their sinful ways.
They may suffer a premature death because of unrepented sin!
God does not ignore the sins of His children!
God will not allow us to willfully continue in sin!
We may eventually cross a line where God's patience has ended.
We will not lose our salvation but we will lose any reward we could have gotten!
This is an act of judgment but it is also an act of love.
By releasing us from our corrupt flesh, God releases us from our temptation to sin, ruining our testimony, and we will no longer cause harm to the "Body of Christ"!
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
And again.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
These things cannot be denied!
God will not allow His children to continue in unconfessed sin!
3) God may also destroy nations where sin has been allowed to run rampant!
Israel is a prime example but there are many nations that do not exist today in any form!
2Ch 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
There are many reasons God sends His missionaries to foreign lands and sometimes God wants that nation to repent.
*****Pro 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
There are many things that are going on in our nation that most all of us do not understand.
It is a fact that our leaders need to be able to discern between truthful and untruthful information!
It seems our leaders today yield to lobbyist who do not have the good of the people in mind.
The truth is that it is mercy and truth that makes a true leader!
Pro 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Those that are in a position of responsibility must remember to verify all information in order to know what's for the good of the people they represent!
As far as the people, we must take strong action against all those who are not honest in their duties to serve the people.
We are finding this more difficult to do because it seems our government is becoming more and more corrupt!
This has taken place because the public has been lenient in insisting on the truth!
Pro 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Pro 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
What is the truth? It is those who are right with God who will prevail!
*****Pro 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
It is a fact that immorality will cause the spread of sin.
In a world where Satan reigns, sin will continue to run rampant because that is Satan's goal.
This the nation and the world we live in today!
Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
The truth is that we who know the Lord should never despair because a God who cannot break a promise, promises a future day when all His enemies will be destroyed.
Psa 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
When the Lord returns, He will reign in righteousness!
Knowing all these things should make us confess our own sin and repent.
*****Pro 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Pride says we are superior to others because human logic reasons the way to success is through self-elevation.
This is a false conclusion!
The truth is that pride will only result in dishonor and humiliation!
The Bible teaches us that those who are arrogant will certainly be humbled through a painful process.
Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
We can boldly go before the throne of God but we better be humble when we get there!
Our pride will get in the way when we think we are in need of a Savior!
Our pride will get in the way when we think we must remain at the mercy of God!
The truth is that God will exalt us throughout eternity if we will humbly bow before Him in this life!
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Here again, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly in heart but most people today regard Him as the greatest man that has ever lived even if they do not recognize Him as God, which He is!
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
You cannot be Christian if you cannot learn from the Savior!
We are all certainly unworthy of God's Grace and God's "Grace" is shown to us all by the Lord Jesus Christ!
Humility is not weakness, humility is strength under complete control!
We must exchange our yoke for His yoke.
We must exchange our burdens for His burdens.
We must exchange our pride for His teaching.
If we are struggling in our faith, then we must "learn of Jesus".
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
If we are struggling in our walk according to the Scriptures, then we must "learn of Jesus".
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
If we are tempted to quit on God, then we must "learn of Jesus".
Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
As believers we are to walk humbly upon this earth just as our Savior did!
And we are never to partner with evil!
*****Pro 29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
A thief makes it his business to cheat, defraud, and steal the property of others.
If you become a partner to a thief, you come under double judgement.
1) You will be guilty of his crime!
2) You will be guilty of withholding information about his crime!
That's what sin does, sin multiplies. One sin will always lead to another sin!
Psa 50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
When we try to use that excuse, "I did not want to get involved", we are already guilty in the eyes of God!
We have shown no real concern for our own soul and if we cannot care for our own soul how can we care for the souls of others.
God says it like this:
Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
The Lord our God put it this way:
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
When we hear the cursing of those who have been harmed and who are the victim and we do not report what we know, how can we plead "not guilty"!
God never changes so He warns us again and again:
1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, "neither be partaker of other men's sins": keep thyself pure.
If we are wise we will have an unwavering faith in the Lord and His Word!
*****Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
When our fears turn us away from serving the Lord then our fears will actually be greater!
We are to obey human authority in order for there to be a civil society.
If we have trusted in the Lord then we will live righteously and living righteously is doing things the right way!
We also will not be afraid of what people will do to us when we take our stand on the Word of God!
The truth is that many who say they trust in the Lord are compelled to lie, or to compromise to avoid any unpleasant repercussions.
Remember even Peter denied Christ Jesus because he was afraid of what those people would do to him and when he realized what he had done he got alone and wept bitterly.
We must remember God takes responsibility for His Words!
And it will always be impossible to live for Christ and avoid persecution!
Someplace everyday some of those that love the Lord are slain just because they trust Him for their salvation.
If we truly love the Lord then we will not have a fear of what man can do to us.
God said to take a stand and stand firm:
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
When we are threatened we simply need to call on the Lord and place it in His hands.
We are in God's hands and it is He that is in control of our lives!
We must remember, we have already been judged and justified by the Lord, we do not need the favor of any ruler of this earth or any other person!
*****Pro 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
When we trust in the Lord we must not fret when justice is not served in human courts.
We know that the Lord is the ultimate and final Judge and no sin will go unpunished.
It is not in our hands to seek revenge!
The day is coming when the Lord will correct all the wrong that has been done in this world!
It is a fact that human government cannot bring a perfect justice.
There are those that seek a rulers favor but the truth is, what God has appointed for them will surely come to them!
Pro 19:6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Those that pay for a favorable judgement here on earth are not rich enough to sway the judgment of God!
The truth is an unjust man is an abomination to the Lord!
*****Pro 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
The title of our lesson is that "wisdom leads to the confession of sin".
No one can be justified until they can make a confession!
When we walk in God's righteousness we will refuse to compromise with the things of this world!
We will then be despised by those who reject the Word of God!
When we take our stand for the Lord we will see opposition.
In many cases it will be bitter with much anger!
Fearing the Lord, gives us the conviction to do right and leave the results with Him!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Proverbs 28-31
Confession means to acknowledge our faults, or our guiltiness, or our failures.
The Catholic Church teaches that Christ Jesus forgives sins through the priests at confession.
This is taken from John 20:23
Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
The truth is, the power to forgive sins cannot be given by Jesus Christ to any of His ministers!
Only God can forgive sins!
God forgives out of "Grace"!
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Our sins were nailed to the cross that Jesus Christ bore for each of us!
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
This forgiveness forever solves the problem of sin in our lives, all sins past, all sins present, and all future sin.
We must remember Jesus Christ died for the sin of unbelief!
It is unbelief that leads to all other sins!
Our salvation is secure BUT, we will need a daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
This is the truth of the Scriptures and our own wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord!
It is the fear of the Lord that will lead to the confession of our sins!
*****Pro 28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
What is the theme of our world today?
The wicked who forsake the Word of God then exalt the wicked and their evil deeds!
The righteous who keep the Word of God and are considered the enemy!
Those who forsake the Word of God will insist on leaders who are like-minded so they can build their carnal society!
They are greedy and self-serving and insists on their evil agenda!
This is the America of today!
When ungodly leaders and ungodly citizens prevail, any nation will decline and will also suffer the reproach of the world and the condemnation of God!
This is the America of today!
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
It may be already to late to save America but we must not sit idly by while this wickedness dominates our society!
The Bible says to "contend" with those that reject the Word of God!
To "contend" is to defend and preserve!
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith" which was once delivered unto the saints.
We are to remain settled on the truth of the Scriptures, the facts of the Word of God!
We are to stand up!
We are to speak out!
What is the truth of the Scriptures?
*****Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
If we remember the words of Jesus on the cross we can understand this verse.
Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus Christ was always thinking of others!
Those that reject the Word of God cannot be expected to make righteous judgments nor can they administer sound justice!
This is also a fact in America where as more and more of these people are appointed to seats of judgment in our justice system.
They are void of the knowledge and the wisdom that is needed and ignorant of the truth!
Understanding can come but from one place and that is knowing the truth of God!
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Without searching for the Lord, He will never be found, yet He is always near!
It is only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God who can have the understanding of true justice!
*****Pro 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
The truth is, the wicked are not so much those that are ignorant of God's law as it is those that turn their ear away and ignore God's law!
It is all those who are ignorant of God's law that we are to witness too and not so much those that hear the Word of God and reject it!
This is why Jesus taught in parables!
To be able to go before God in prayer is an awesome privilege.
We may never have an audience with the President or even with a Governor but we can have an audience with our God at any moment in time!
God is a Father with a desire to do good and a distinct love for mankind and has great delight in hearing from His children.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
When we reject the Word of God, we forfeit the privilege to enter into the presence of God!
God despises the prayers of those who despise the Word of God!
Joh 9:31 Now we know "that God heareth not sinners": but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
It is wisdom that leads to confession and it is confession that leads to answered prayers!
*****Pro 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
If we open our eyes to this world we will see that for the most part, the wicked are arrogant and they consider themselves to be wise.
They simply reject anything that goes against their perceived thoughts.
It is easy to see through their deceit when compared to the Word of God!
It is far better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and have no integrity!
Most of the rich see themselves as being superior to others and they use their wealth as a sign they are simply smarter than the average person.
They deceive themselves into thinking that those who are beneath them are blind to their schemes.
The truth is money simply cannot buy character!
Money simply cannot buy true wisdom!
Their lack of wisdom can be easily seen in their selfish, permissive, and worldly lifestyle!
It is only those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, who can have a clear understanding of life and our world!
It takes a close personal relationship with the Lord to overcome the deceptions of this world!
Pro 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
*****Pro 28:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
What's the truth of our world?
When the wicked rule a nation it is divided and most all people will flee from oppression!
When the righteous rise to power more people will rejoice and most problems are solved.
But remember God says there will always be those who are poor in this world until He returns!
When our government is run by someone that fears the Lord, God's people will celebrate openly and publicly!
When the wicked rule, God's people are forced to hide because they know that oppression is coming.
This is the dread of America!
This is the truth of ISIS!
This is the truth of almost every nation other than Israel!
An unrighteous leader causes grief to all those who reject their agenda!
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Pro 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
The Bible is very clear, it is the love of money that is the root of most all the evil in our world!
*****Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
The Bible is also very clear when it says that sin cannot be hidden!
Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: "and be sure your sin will find you out".
When we are to arrogant to see our own sin and repent of it, we can be sure that our sin will be made known to those that it affects.
We should also remember that those that reject the Lord are already condemned to a sinner's Hell!
If we spend our lives refusing to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can never prosper spiritually!
We can have no fellowship with the Lord.
We will forfeit God's benefits.
Our prayer life will be powerless.
We will stunt our spiritual growth.
Our service to the Lord will be fruitless.
Joy will be far from us!
We will never succeed and prosper in this life we now have.
We must deal with our sin first by confessing it to the Lord!
Confession is recognizing sin as sin, and admitting it to God!
Most people think it ends there, but to be truthful our confession must be accompanied with "repentance"!
Repentance is much more than saying "I'm Sorry", repentance is an action word that means "I'm Going To Travel The Path Of Righteousness"!
Genuine repentance is a complete change of heart and of mind that results in a change of conduct!
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
When we confess our sin then we are in agreement with God that sin can only be atoned by the blood of Jesus Christ!
After confession, must come action on our part before we will ever see the mercy of God!
*****Pro 28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
What is the truth of the Bible?
Those that walk according to the Word of God "shall be saved"!
The upright are safe and secure while those who reject the Word of God "will fall"!
The upright are all those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, innocent and blameless.
Perverse, means to be turned aside, distorted, stubborn and contrary.
He sways right and wrong and also pretends to be pursuing one path while he is really taking another.
These are the traits of the Anti-Christ and they both will fall!
Once he falls he will never rise again!
*****Pro 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
The truth is that our character is in full display by the way we treat others!
Jesus taught that loving others is equal to loving God:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The Apostle Paul taught that loving your neighbor is the fulfillment of all God's commandments:
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The line that separates the upright from the foolish is by the way they treat others!
All those who stubbornly persists in sin will be suddenly destroyed.
God makes this very plain!
Without remedy means that it will be done and there is nothing that can be done about it!
1) There are those who refuse to hear what the Lord has to say and avoid any sort of relationship with Him.
These will be destroyed without remedy!
We can be sure that they have been approached by God.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
At death they will be instantly banished to eternal destruction:
Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
2) Then there are those who have a relationship with God but have returned to their sinful ways.
They may suffer a premature death because of unrepented sin!
God does not ignore the sins of His children!
God will not allow us to willfully continue in sin!
We may eventually cross a line where God's patience has ended.
We will not lose our salvation but we will lose any reward we could have gotten!
This is an act of judgment but it is also an act of love.
By releasing us from our corrupt flesh, God releases us from our temptation to sin, ruining our testimony, and we will no longer cause harm to the "Body of Christ"!
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
And again.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
These things cannot be denied!
God will not allow His children to continue in unconfessed sin!
3) God may also destroy nations where sin has been allowed to run rampant!
Israel is a prime example but there are many nations that do not exist today in any form!
2Ch 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
There are many reasons God sends His missionaries to foreign lands and sometimes God wants that nation to repent.
*****Pro 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
There are many things that are going on in our nation that most all of us do not understand.
It is a fact that our leaders need to be able to discern between truthful and untruthful information!
It seems our leaders today yield to lobbyist who do not have the good of the people in mind.
The truth is that it is mercy and truth that makes a true leader!
Pro 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Those that are in a position of responsibility must remember to verify all information in order to know what's for the good of the people they represent!
As far as the people, we must take strong action against all those who are not honest in their duties to serve the people.
We are finding this more difficult to do because it seems our government is becoming more and more corrupt!
This has taken place because the public has been lenient in insisting on the truth!
Pro 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Pro 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
What is the truth? It is those who are right with God who will prevail!
*****Pro 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
It is a fact that immorality will cause the spread of sin.
In a world where Satan reigns, sin will continue to run rampant because that is Satan's goal.
This the nation and the world we live in today!
Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
The truth is that we who know the Lord should never despair because a God who cannot break a promise, promises a future day when all His enemies will be destroyed.
Psa 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
When the Lord returns, He will reign in righteousness!
Knowing all these things should make us confess our own sin and repent.
*****Pro 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Pride says we are superior to others because human logic reasons the way to success is through self-elevation.
This is a false conclusion!
The truth is that pride will only result in dishonor and humiliation!
The Bible teaches us that those who are arrogant will certainly be humbled through a painful process.
Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
We can boldly go before the throne of God but we better be humble when we get there!
Our pride will get in the way when we think we are in need of a Savior!
Our pride will get in the way when we think we must remain at the mercy of God!
The truth is that God will exalt us throughout eternity if we will humbly bow before Him in this life!
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Here again, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly in heart but most people today regard Him as the greatest man that has ever lived even if they do not recognize Him as God, which He is!
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
You cannot be Christian if you cannot learn from the Savior!
We are all certainly unworthy of God's Grace and God's "Grace" is shown to us all by the Lord Jesus Christ!
Humility is not weakness, humility is strength under complete control!
We must exchange our yoke for His yoke.
We must exchange our burdens for His burdens.
We must exchange our pride for His teaching.
If we are struggling in our faith, then we must "learn of Jesus".
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
If we are struggling in our walk according to the Scriptures, then we must "learn of Jesus".
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
If we are tempted to quit on God, then we must "learn of Jesus".
Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
As believers we are to walk humbly upon this earth just as our Savior did!
And we are never to partner with evil!
*****Pro 29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
A thief makes it his business to cheat, defraud, and steal the property of others.
If you become a partner to a thief, you come under double judgement.
1) You will be guilty of his crime!
2) You will be guilty of withholding information about his crime!
That's what sin does, sin multiplies. One sin will always lead to another sin!
Psa 50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
When we try to use that excuse, "I did not want to get involved", we are already guilty in the eyes of God!
We have shown no real concern for our own soul and if we cannot care for our own soul how can we care for the souls of others.
God says it like this:
Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
The Lord our God put it this way:
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
When we hear the cursing of those who have been harmed and who are the victim and we do not report what we know, how can we plead "not guilty"!
God never changes so He warns us again and again:
1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, "neither be partaker of other men's sins": keep thyself pure.
If we are wise we will have an unwavering faith in the Lord and His Word!
*****Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
When our fears turn us away from serving the Lord then our fears will actually be greater!
We are to obey human authority in order for there to be a civil society.
If we have trusted in the Lord then we will live righteously and living righteously is doing things the right way!
We also will not be afraid of what people will do to us when we take our stand on the Word of God!
The truth is that many who say they trust in the Lord are compelled to lie, or to compromise to avoid any unpleasant repercussions.
Remember even Peter denied Christ Jesus because he was afraid of what those people would do to him and when he realized what he had done he got alone and wept bitterly.
We must remember God takes responsibility for His Words!
And it will always be impossible to live for Christ and avoid persecution!
Someplace everyday some of those that love the Lord are slain just because they trust Him for their salvation.
If we truly love the Lord then we will not have a fear of what man can do to us.
God said to take a stand and stand firm:
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
When we are threatened we simply need to call on the Lord and place it in His hands.
We are in God's hands and it is He that is in control of our lives!
We must remember, we have already been judged and justified by the Lord, we do not need the favor of any ruler of this earth or any other person!
*****Pro 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
When we trust in the Lord we must not fret when justice is not served in human courts.
We know that the Lord is the ultimate and final Judge and no sin will go unpunished.
It is not in our hands to seek revenge!
The day is coming when the Lord will correct all the wrong that has been done in this world!
It is a fact that human government cannot bring a perfect justice.
There are those that seek a rulers favor but the truth is, what God has appointed for them will surely come to them!
Pro 19:6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Those that pay for a favorable judgement here on earth are not rich enough to sway the judgment of God!
The truth is an unjust man is an abomination to the Lord!
*****Pro 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
The title of our lesson is that "wisdom leads to the confession of sin".
No one can be justified until they can make a confession!
When we walk in God's righteousness we will refuse to compromise with the things of this world!
We will then be despised by those who reject the Word of God!
When we take our stand for the Lord we will see opposition.
In many cases it will be bitter with much anger!
Fearing the Lord, gives us the conviction to do right and leave the results with Him!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
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