What steps can we take to be "cleansed from hidden faults"? Opening the Text “Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” (Psalm 19:12) Recognize Our Blind Spots • Hidden faults are sins concealed even from ourselves—attitudes, motives, and habits we overlook. • Scripture affirms that “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9); we must start by admitting we cannot see everything on our own. Invite the Searchlight of God’s Word • Daily, attentive reading exposes what we miss. • “The word of God is living and active… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). • Approach every passage asking, “Where does this mirror reveal grime I’ve ignored?” Ask the Holy Spirit for Illumination • Jesus said the Spirit “will convict the world concerning sin” (John 16:8). • Pray for conviction before, during, and after Scripture reading. • Rely on the Spirit’s inner prompting; He reveals what logic alone cannot uncover (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Practice Regular Self-Examination • “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Set aside quiet moments—end of day, communion services, retreats—to review thoughts, words, choices. • Write findings in a journal; patterns surface more clearly on paper. Confess Quickly and Specifically • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). • Name the sin; avoid vague generalities. • Agree with God about its seriousness; excuses keep faults hidden. Submit to Godly Accountability • “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). • Trusted believers help spot blind spots and encourage repentance. • Invite correction; humility dismantles secrecy. Cultivate a Tender Conscience • Hold short accounts with God: repent at the first sting of conviction. • Guard what you watch, read, and ponder; repeated compromise dulls sensitivity (1 Timothy 1:19). • Train your conscience with truth, not personal preferences (Romans 14:23). Rest in Christ’s Ongoing Cleansing • “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). • Our role is responsive—repent and believe—while Christ’s blood continually purifies (Hebrews 9:14). • Confidence in His finished work frees us to face hidden faults without fear. Walking in Cleanness Hidden faults lose power when exposed to Scripture, Spirit, confession, and community. Following these steps keeps the heart transparent before God, allowing His continual cleansing to shape us into ever-brighter reflections of His holiness. |
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