Sapped Strength

[birdelljerome]

Sapped Strength

Read Psalm 32. What does this teach us about guilt and confession? What does David mean by keeping silent? What happens when one remains silent? What was Davids solution to his guilt?

Psalm 32 Of David. "Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD. and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to You while You may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORDs unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! "

Honest confession is good for the soul, and seemingly also for the body. Davids language clearly suggests that his mental state of guilt was causing physical pain, as well: bones wasted away (vs. 3)and strength sapped (vs. 4). Health professionals today recognize the close link between psychological stress and physical maladies. The expression psychosomatic disease has been part of the health professionals language for decades, and it refers to physical symptons caused largely by psychological processes. More recently the field of psychoneuroimmunology has identified the key role that mental states play in protecting our bodies from or exposing them to diseases.

Guilt, as does any other strong adverse emotion, causes immediate deterioration in behavior and can, in the long run, destroy physical health. But for those who know the Lord, there is no need of putting themselves at risk. Davids testimony reveals the antidote for guilt: "Then I acknowledged my sin to you. . . . and you forgave the guilt of my sin" (vs. 5). Thus, shame, remorse, sadness, and hopelessness caused by guilt can vanish through the Lords wonderful forgiveness, and joy and happiness can come instead (vs. 11).

Read 1 Timothy 4:1, 2. What does he mean by seared consciences?

1 Timothy 4:1-2 [/b]"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron."

Paul forewarned Timothy of individuals who would teach strange doctrines to believers. They would do this because their consciences had been "seared as with a hot iron" (vs. 2). As fire may burn nerve endings and make certain parts of the body insensible, a conscience also may become seared by: repeated violation of correct principles until no sense of wrongness remains, strong environmental influences that cause one to view something wrong with indifference or even as good.

What things that once bothered you now dont? If so, might that be a seared conscience at work? Try to step back and take a good look at things you do that dont bother your conscience but perhaps should.