"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" - (Psalm 32:5, NIV).
What do all these phrases have in common?
"It wasn't my fault!"
"He hit me first!"
"I didn't mean anything by it."
"You would've done the same thing."
"It's none of your business!"
"She deserved it!"
"It was an accident!"
"You can't prove it!"
Each of those phrases is something people commonly say when they've done something wrong, right? You might even be able to think of some others. Maybe you've even created a few of your own.
But none of those phrases above is what God wants us to say when we make a mistake or do something wrong. Because none of those phrases contains the two necessary ingredients of repentance. Do you know what those two necessary ingredients of repentance are? Confession and apology.
In other words, if you do something wrong, you shouldn't try to defend yourself or excuse your actions by saying something like, "It wasn't my fault!" or "She deserved it!"Instead, the best way to respond to a mistake or a sin is to say two things:
"I was wrong," and "I'm sorry."
That's what David said in Psalm 32, when he told God, "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, `I will confess my transgressions to the Lord'" (Psalm 32:5, NIV). He didn't try to explain or excuse what he'd done. He didn't try to cover it up. He admitted he was wrong, and confessed his
sin to God.
That's the path to forgiveness with God . . . and with anyone. After all, we all make mistakes. We have all sinned. But when you do make a wrong choice, the best way to respond to it is to say, "I was wrong," and "I'm sorry." When you do that, you open the door to forgiveness.
Reflect: Do you think any of the phrases listed above will work better than saying "I was wrong" and "I'm sorry?" Why or why not? Do you ever have trouble saying, "I was wrong," and "I'm sorry?" Why or why not? How do you plan to respond the next time you do something wrong?
Prayer:"Our Loving Heavenly Father, I admit that I don't always like to admit I'm wrong or apologize. But please help me to do right even after I've done wrong, by confessing and apologizing my wrong to you and to anyone I hurt." Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen."
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