Walters,Oklahoma Pastor: Roger Snow
Genuine Repentance / A Prayer of Confession
2 Corinthians 7: 8 – 10 says: “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a reason. Now ZI rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world workethdeath.” (KJV).
Because we desire to be more like Jesus, we make resolutions, ask the Lord to help us, and we try to behave differently than we have been. However, despite our best efforts to do things God’s way, we sometimes fall back into our old habits. Then we sometimes become frustrated and we ask Him, “Why can’t I change?” Well, the main reason is, that overcoming sinful attitudes and bad behavior starts with genuine repentance, which has three aspects.
First is Conviction. The Holy Spirit will reveal the areas in which we have sinned and convict us of our wrongdoing. Through Scripture, the Spirit will show us God’s standard and what needs to be changed. You see, repentance begins with the understanding as to where we went astray.
Second is Contrition. (The state of feeling remorseful and penitent). That is the next step – grieving over our iniquity and that is followed by confession to the Lord. Genuine sorrow comes from the knowledge that we have sinned against Him . However, in contrast, human unhappiness often comes from being caught misbehaving or doing something wrong. Then, other times we are miserable because of where our choices led us, or we feel shame that other people know about our sin. True confession is followed by humble confession.
You see, confession is not a punishment for sin; it’s an isolation of sin so it can be exposed and extracted. Exactly what is it that you need forgiveness for? For being a bad person? That’s too general. How about for losing your patience in the business meeting at work or calling your coworker a creep? There, you can confess that. You must pray a prayer of confession and be firm in that prayer.
Satan traffics in guilt and will not give up without a fight. Exercise your authority as a child of God. Tell the guilt where to get off and then stop tormenting yourself.
Third is the Commitment to act. You see, real repentance is complete when we wholeheartedly pledge to turn from our old behavior and move toward the righteous ways. God knows we won’t live perfectly, but He looks for a surrendered heart that seeks to obey Him.
Paul us strong language when telling us to turn from iniquity. Colossians 3: 5 says: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
So what sin are you struggling to overcome? Have you genuinely repented, and committing to turn from it permanently? Let the Holy Spirit empower you to change. Have you prayed a prayer of confession?
So, Psalm 103: 12 says: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” So, before you say amen, there comes the power of a simple prayer. So, let the Holy Spirit empower you to change.