Mercy Can’t Bless Your Mask
- Bishop Keith Butler
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
We all have missed it. Even after we are saved, we still sin. Some sins were committed by mistake, while others were deliberate decisions. Trying to pretend it didn't happen doesn’t work, and masking your sins or attempting to hide from God is ineffective.
Adam tried it with fig leaves, and some religious people attempt to mask their sin by sounding wise, appearing to be better than others, or covering up their sin. This will not work; only confession will make a difference.Note that the wisdom in Proverbs 28 doesn’t just say to confess, but also to “forsake.” This means it’s not just about agreeing with God about your sin but also about deciding to walk away from it. What is the result of someone who chooses to do both? God will give mercy.
Mercy is God refusing to give you what you deserve. Instead, He decides to give you what He has planned for you. Mercy isn’t for those who pretend but for those who repent and act on that repentance.
Now, don’t confuse mercy and grace. Mercy is forgiveness, while God’s grace provides empowerment and assistance when we need help.Sin will never lose its grip on your life if you keep it in the dark. You will never find freedom by pretending to be perfect. Stop covering up and faking it; start confessing and living freely.
Practical Application
Have you ever experienced something in your life that you refused to bring to God? Perhaps it’s due to embarrassment or lingering guilt. Choose to openly share this with God, and afterward, embrace the posture of one who is fully forgiven.
