How can we apply Joshua's approach to confession in our daily lives? Confession Restores God’s Glory Joshua 7:19: “So Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give Him an account. Tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.’” Joshua 7:19—Key Observations • Confession is framed first as worship: “give glory to the LORD.” • It is direct and specific: “Tell me now what you have done.” • It refuses secrecy: “do not hide it.” • The goal is restoration of the whole community, not merely personal relief (Israel’s defeat at Ai stemmed from hidden sin). What Joshua Models for Us Today 1. Glorify God by telling the truth. • Hiding sin robs God of honor; honest confession puts His holiness on display. 2. Address sin promptly. • Joshua says “now,” underscoring urgency. 3. Be thorough. • Joshua invites Achan to unload everything, not a partial admission. 4. Recognize communal impact. • Personal sin has ripple effects in family, church, and society. Practical Daily Rhythms of Confession • Begin each day with an open Bible and open heart. – Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God….” • Name the sin plainly to God—no euphemisms or excuses. – Psalm 32:5: “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” • Agree with God about the seriousness of the offense. – Proverbs 28:13: “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” • Seek forgiveness on the basis of Christ’s finished work. – 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Restore relationships where needed. – James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” • Replace secrecy with accountable fellowship. – Schedule regular check-ins with a trusted believer; secrecy shrivels under shared light. Promises That Fuel Honest Hearts • God’s mercy is greater than our guilt (Psalm 103:11-12). • Forgiveness is immediate, full, and certain (Micah 7:18-19). • Confession leads to joy, not humiliation (Psalm 51:12). • The Spirit empowers new obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Living in the Light Hidden sin derails effectiveness and dims testimony. Joshua’s call—“give glory to the LORD…do not hide it”—invites us into a lifestyle where honesty before God is normal, swift, and joy-restoring. Every time we confess, we echo Joshua’s ancient wisdom and experience the fresh freedom Christ secured for us. |
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