What we do with our sin determines whether we claim victory over it, or suffer it’s paralyzing bondage. Rationalizing our sin creates a vicious stronghold when we make excuses for our actions.
When we rationalize our sin, don’t we feel relief, at least for a moment?
Don’t we tell ourselves we’re okay? Don’t we try to convince ourselves we’re not so bad? Do our excuses help us mitigate our guilt, at least for a time? If the excuse is a good one, we may even feel like we’re okay for a long time. We may forget, at least for awhile, we did anything wrong.
The problem is, God doesn’t forget. And He doesn’t forgive. Why? Because the sin is unconfessed. It’s lying dormant down there in our gut. Eventually it will rear it’s ugly head. In my life, when I’m in bondage to unconfessed sin I start messing things up. I make mistakes, miss appointments, lose keys, get irritated and self-centered. That’s when I feel the Holy Spirit’s prompting to confess and repent.
Then I have a choice: confess and repent, or think up another excuse. Confessing and repenting cleanses me and restores me to a right relationship with God. More excuses only keep me to bondage.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
For His Glory 