My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear. – Psalm 38:4 NLT
He sat slumped on the edge of his bed; his head bowed in shame. His shoulders heaved as he wept, unending tears flowing like a waterfall to the floor. King David, the man after God’s own heart, is now a broken man, an adulterer, and even worse, a murderer. He wondered if he would ever find a pathway back to God.
Have you ever felt like King David, giving in to temptation and wondering if you can ever escape the guilt and shame in your heart? Will you ever be able to heal from the pain you’ve caused yourself and others? The answer to that question is yes. The solution involves a process of confession, repentance, and resistance.
1. Confess your sins to God. David cried to the Lord in Psalm 38:18, “But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.” Scripture tells us in Psalm 51:17 that God will not reject a broken and repentant heart. It also says in 1 John 1:9 that as a result of our confession, God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” The forgiveness of our sins allows us to have a restored relationship with God.
2. Turn away from your sin. In John 8:11, when the woman caught in adultery was cast at Jesus’ feet, He told her, “Go and sin no more.” These words reflect the gracious, forgiving Spirit of Jesus and His firm call to live a transformed life. True repentance involves a change of heart, eventually leading to a behavior change.
3. Seek forgiveness from people you have hurt. As a part of the healing process, it’s important to ask forgiveness from loved ones who may have been affected by your fall into temptation. However, be patient and understand forgiveness is a process. The deeper the pain, the longer it may take them to forgive. It’s equally important to take steps to rebuild their trust.
4. Thank God for His forgiveness. When we come to God with confession and repentance, we receive forgiveness through Jesus. Then, like David in Psalm 32, we can offer a prayer of praise. “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” (Psalm 32:1-2 NLT)
5. Create a strategy for resistance. Resisting temptation is not a one-time victory but an ongoing battle that shapes our character and leads us to a fulfilling and virtuous life. Here are a few suggestions for building greater resistance to future temptations. Number 1: Memorize scriptures that relate to your areas of temptation. When tempted by satan, Jesus used scripture to fight off the tempter. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Number 2: Develop accountability and support from others. Find friends or a pastor at your church who you will confidentially pray for you and be available to call on when temptation strikes. Depending on the severity of the temptation, it may be necessary to enter counseling or join a support group like Celebrate Recovery. Number 3: Be vigilant to avoid situations that will cause you to fall back into temptation. It may also require abandoning people who may tempt you to return to evil.
Dig Deeper
1. Here is a simple prayer of confession based on Psalm 51 that you can pray if you have fallen into temptation. “Have mercy on me, God, because of Your unfailing love. Against You alone have I sinned. Wipe away the stains of my sins. Purify me of my sins, and I will be clean. Create in me a clean heart, O God. The sacrifice I am offering is a broken spirit of repentance. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart that comes to You through Your Son. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
2. Find a quiet place to be alone with God. Read Psalm 32 and list the benefits God offers you because of your confession. Take time to thank God for the benefits you have received because of the blood of Jesus shed for you.
