"Walk the Line"

Should you tell it all,

Whatever befall,

And let it all fly as it may.

I say think again,

Before you begin,

‘Cause you cannot take back what you say.

There’s a great healing grace,

When admitting your place,

In all that you have done wrong.

Confess means agree,

No excuses you see,

Accept where your own faults belong.

And good to confide,

And not try to hide,

Talk to somebody you trust.

But to tell everyone,

As some folks have done,

Should only be said if you must.

Who needs to know,

The Spirit will show,

Follow His lead and you’re fine.

Walk in the light,

And conquer the fight,

The Lord helps us all walk the line.

“…if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” (1 John 1:9, NLT)

One of the first verses I memorized after becoming a believer was 1 John 1:9. Why? Always before I felt that I needed to wait till the next spiritual event or “high” to make things right with God. But I realized that wasn’t the way it was supposed to work. When (not if), but when I stumbled, I needed to return immediately to God and confess my sins. Then I was learning to walk out the forgiveness He had given me when I was saved. All our sins are forgiven through the death of Jesus, right? And we receive that forgiveness when we put our faith in Jesus to save us and help us turn from sin, right? But confessing my sin to Him when it happens helps me experience ongoing cleansing in a personal way. I do not allow my “lapses” in selfishness to keep me away for long. Now I confess or agree with Him as immediately as possible. Confessing to others is more complicated. It can be very helpful and healing to confess to another person. Some even believe it is necessary if we are to walk in full freedom over our sins. But unwisely confessing to people who are not trustworthy can be a very hurtful lesson. God will show you with whom it is safe to share your heart. But remember, it’s always safe to confess to Him!

Lord, help us honestly confess our sins to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Dino Cornay, dinocornayart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Dino, and God bless you.