15/10/2015 - The work is in the heart

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You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you. Deuteronomy 8.5

There are two ways of confessing: with your mouth and with your heart (Romans 10.9). This is an act of recognition because the Lord has convicted you of your error. If it all happened as a temptation, then it is not your fault, but, if you took the opportunity to have some kind of pleasure, even only in your heart, there was sin. Recognize it and ask for forgiveness, so that your transgression is wiped out. Do it right away. 

Being tempted is not sin. But, if the temptation makes you look at someone with lust, a sinful act was done and, therefore, confession needs to be made to reach forgiveness. In this case, no one besides the Lord notices or knows what happened and your mistake has no effect over other people. Telling it to Him is enough, then. However, a person who has committed adultery has to confess the infidelity to his or her spouse.

The Lord sees what happened in your heart and to the revelation He has given you. If you accepted it and put it into action, then you have pleased Him. However, if you have rejected it, you do not value what He does. Now, all that the Lord reveals to you is for your own good. When you accept that God forbids you of doing something that would bring you pleasure or profit and you do not indulge in it, He blesses you.

A good father does not give everything his sons ask, nor does he keep from correcting him when he does wrong (Proverbs 3.12). A role model father corrects his son in his failures and fights for him not to stumble again. Therefore, rejoice if the Most High is disciplining you (Hebrews 12.6). God would never remain silent if one of His were given to doing wrong, because He truly loves us.

The goal of the Lord’s correction is to teach you not to fall into the hands of the enemy; and so, not to cause harm to anyone or to yourself. Regardless of what could justify your misconduct; do not listen to the devil! Having committed the sin, repent, because you will be pushed to live separated from God until you do so (Isaiah 59.2). In the meantime, the devil will be able to cause you harm, and possibly cripple your soul or your body forever.

The Lord corrects you as Your God and not as a god. His teachings will be ministered to you in order to recover you. Even if it hurts to look for the person you have dishonored to be rebuked by them, do it anyways. 

Your attitude of confession will do you good for, after being disciplined, you will see you have been greatly blessed. Those who hide their sin, remaining in their transgression, even though they have a lifetime of prayer, they will not be heard or answered, because they are servants of Satan and the Lord cannot bless them. How about settling things with God and with those you have caused harm?

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares