Proverbs__28

Scripture

Proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

 

Observation

King Solomon continues to give some phrases that wise people live by, and in this verse he somewhat speaks to community. More than that, he offers accountability as a viable solution for an area that a person may be struggling in, rather than keeping it to ourselves.

 

Understanding

Recently my mom, dad, and I decided to watch all of the Star Wars movies in chronological order. I’ve never seen them all the way through and I thought it would be a fun experience to go through together. We have gotten to the fourth movie, so by this time (MAJOR SPOILER IF YOU DON’T KNOW, but y’all should know because it’s Star Wars) Anakin had turned to the Dark Side and become Darth Vader. When he first decides to go on the path of Dark Side he’s given an assignment from his new Sith Master (Darth Sidious aka Chancellor Palpatine). Eventually, his Jedi Master (Obi Wan Kenobi) finds out and is heartbroken, but something I realized about Anakin the minute he choose a path of destruction. He hid from the Jedi Masters, the ones who were previously holding him accountable and in an upright regard. Almost as if he knew that he would be challenged in his decision, and that he didn’t want to face the consequences that awaited him. Ironically, the consequences find him and he is then resigned to a robotic body for the rest of his life, just to await the real “chosen one.”

I give this long-winded example because I think that’s the tendency of most of us when we sin or do something we know we aren’t supposed to: we hide. Rather than going to the ones that have invested so much of their lives in us, we would much rather sit with the guilt ourselves. In the end, as Anakin’s story shows we end up hurting everyone involved that much more. Anakin lost everything he cared about in one split second decision, and although our life doesn’t go to ruins, holding onto sin doesn’t help us much. There is one word in the verse above that makes confession of sin worth it: mercy. Simply put mercy holds the a powerful meaning; it means to show a person compassion especially when you have the power to punish. God grants us grace and mercy in that He sent His Son, the least we can do is confess our sins to those He’s placed around us.

 

Life Application

I fully understand that accountability is scary. But do not misplace accountability for judgement. As humans we can not pass (final) judgement on people, only God can do that. The people that God has placed around you are meant to keep you grounded no matter what you may have done. If admitting fault and sin still seems scary just remember:

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

But that’s not where the story ends :)

-Allison Khan