Confession & Self-Examination
What
In Psalm 139, David prays, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar…Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Confession and self-examination is the discipline of inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us in examination of our hearts, lives, actions, interactions, and habits and receiving God’s grace to step more fully into the freedom, flourishing, and eternal joy he wants for us. Because of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension, the context of confession and self-examination is never shame but always one of receptivity to grace, freedom, and new life. A helpful image to have in mind is that of the prodigal’s father running toward him when his child finally notices that something isn’t quite right.
Why
In the words of this psalm, David expresses absolute trust in God’s thorough knowledge of his innermost being –the good, the bad, and the grey. There is an acknowledgement that God is infinitely good and that humanity, while still good and capable of good, now harbors an inclination to sin and the inexplicable pursuit of disastrous ends for itself, other humans, and creation. Embedded within this acknowledgement is David’s implicit assumption that despite our willingness to theoretically admit to our own sin and brokenness, we always underestimate just how sinful and broken we are in reality.
David paints a picture of the human soul (mind, will, affections) lovingly created by God and lovingly sustained by God despite the invasion of sin. In this way, the human heart is like rocky, highly technical mountain terrain. In this metaphor, David (and the rest of us) are like first time hikers on this particular trail. Because we only get one life, we will always be first time hikers on this trail…and God, God is the experienced guide who knows the intricacies and technicalities of the trail. This Guide knows how to get you to the summit and back to basecamp in one piece…and how to help you enjoy the fullness of the experience along the way.
Wisdom dictates that we trust the Guide who knows the terrain better than we ever will…which is why, ultimately, David trusts the God of infinite grace, mercy, and love to guide him through the rocky, technical terrain of his own heart toward flourishing in this life and eternal joy with God in the life to come.
How
Step 1 | Meditate on Psalm 139
Ponder God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy toward us and his deep knowledge of our souls.
Step 2 | Invite the Holy Spirit to Guide You
Notice when something’s not quite right or something has gone awry. This could be tangible or obvious sin – e.g. 10 Commandments or Paul’s vice list in Galatians 5 – or a more subtle posture or disposition of your soul – e.g. early Christians often referred to the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.
Step 3 | Confess Sin and Brokenness
Like the Prodigal who finally has a heart to heart with his dad after the party, prayerfully tell God what sin and brokenness you noticed in your heart, life, actions, or interactions.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Step 4 | Assurance of Pardon
Remember, “as far as the east is from the west” so far does he remove our sins from us.
Write your sins of omission or commission on a sheet of paper and burn them when you’re done
Invite a trusted pastor or friend to hear your confession and to verbalize God’s forgiveness to you in Christ Jesus who said to those he healed, “Son/Daughter, your sins are forgiven!”
Step 5 | Discern the Next Faithful Step
Ask for God’s wisdom to help you not only trust his forgiveness but also step beyond your sin and brokenness into the life of flourishing and eternal joy that he wants for you.