How can we ensure we "find no success" in our spiritual walk? Setting the Stage: Proverbs 28:13 “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” Choices That Guarantee Zero Spiritual Progress – Hide every known sin instead of confessing it. – Explain away conviction—call it “guilt,” “negativity,” or “legalism.” – Cling to the idea that private failures never affect public fruitfulness. – Treat repentance as a one-time event, not a lifestyle. – Measure spiritual health by outward activity rather than heart obedience (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22). – Postpone obedience: “I’ll deal with that later” slowly becomes “never.” Daily Habits That Cement Failure 1. Neglect Scripture: • Ignore Psalm 119:105—walk in darkness, stumble often. 2. Resist prayer: • Choose anxiety over Philippians 4:6-7; remain joyless and restless. 3. Isolate from believers: • Reject Hebrews 10:25; cut yourself off from needed correction and encouragement. 4. Feed the flesh: • Sow to the flesh (Galatians 6:7-8); reap corruption instead of life. 5. Harden the heart: • Hear God’s voice today and say “tomorrow” (Hebrews 3:13-15). Consequences You Can Count On – Diminishing peace (Isaiah 48:22). – Withered prayer life (Psalm 66:18). – Loss of discernment (Romans 1:21). – Spiritual barrenness—no lasting fruit (John 15:6). – Escalating bondage to sin (John 8:34). Other Passages Echoing the Warning – Psalm 32:3-4—unconfessed sin drains vitality. – Proverbs 1:24-31—persistent refusal invites calamity. – James 1:22-24—hearing without doing breeds self-deception. Inescapable Bottom Line Conceal sin, shun repentance, resist God’s voice—and Scripture assures you will “not prosper.” |
    |