It is human nature to deny or cover up one’s sin, but God will uncover it. God hates sin and all sinfulness.
Let me show you some examples from the Bible which show the consequences of covering up sin. To begin with, we have the case of Adam and Eve. They were disobedient to God and then tried to hide. They had lost their innocence, and it was replaced by a heavy feeling of guilt. They covered themselves with fig leaves and looked for a place to hide among the trees of the garden. Then they heard God call: “Adam, where are you?” This question that God uttered is revealing. Their disobedience had severe consequences. They lost the nearness to and their fellowship with God. And what tragic consequences did the fall have for the whole human race! Sin, to which they had opened the door, brought them much heartache. Cain killed his brother and then tried to cover up his sin and excuse himself by asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” But his brother’s blood cried out to heaven for revenge. The curse of God was upon Cain.
Joseph’s brothers sold him to Egypt and tried to cover up their sin. They carried the blood-soaked garment of Joseph to their father and told him that they had found it like this. Their old father believed them, and that brought him indescribable sorrow. God waited for a long time but finally uncovered their sin. Joseph’s brothers were forced to bow down before him in deep humility and shame.
The twelve disciples of our Lord were dining at the table with Him. To their astonishment, Jesus told them that one of them would betray Him. It seemed inconceivable to the disciples, but just a short while later, they had to face the fallout of this terrible reality. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, they tried to deceive God and the apostles. The Holy Spirit revealed this to Peter so that their sin was uncovered, and they died on the spot.
Humans are prone to cover up their sin. They try to excuse themselves, no matter how severe the sin they committed may be. They feel good justifying their actions, but the end result is destruction. “He who covers his sins will not prosper.” God will reveal and uncover sin.
Notice that our Bible text also says: “but whoever confesses.” This is the way out. The natural human tendency is not to be humiliated or to humble oneself in this manner, but that is God’s way, and there is none other that leads to peace. When Paul preached, many confessed their sins and uncovered their evil doings. As long as people try to keep their sin hidden and secret, they cannot find peace and come to rest since guilt will continue to burden the conscience. In the end, their destruction is sure. God will bring it all out into the open. Isn’t it much better, as long as there is still time, to confess one’s sin and seek peace with God?
But confessing our sin is not yet enough. We must also be willing to do away with our sins and forsake them. Our text says: “Whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). The Lord does a thorough job. Confessing sin relieves the conscience. Yes, but final victory cannot be claimed unless the sin is forsaken. To be freed from sin, we must stop sinning. Bad habits can only be broken if we stop giving in to them. We must do this with our whole heart and inner being. All bad thoughts wishing to enter must be kept under control, and all sinful desires must be resisted. Whoever does this will receive mercy from God. God will assist us and help us to be victorious. His great love will envelop us. God is gracious and compassionate. He is able to forgive and cancel all sin, and this He will do. He not only reveals and uncovers sins but also forgives and annihilates them. They are cast into the sea of forgetfulness. God says, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
If you do not yet have peace with God, then humble yourself before the Lord today. Procrastination can only lead to negative consequences and even to being lost eternally.
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