Grace Bible Church

Brad Evans

“Honest to God”

Psalm 32

Being honest to God allows me to experience God’s forgiveness: the divine release from the baggage of my sin.

The Big Picture

▪ One of Seven “Penitential Psalms” where the theme is confession of sin.

See: Psalm 6; 38; 51; 102; 130 and 143

▪ Historical Context- 2 Samuel 11-12

▪ Big Idea- Being honest to God allows me to experience God’s forgiveness: the divine release from the baggage of my sin.

I. The Blessings of Forgiveness (1-2)

Four Synonyms for Sin:

▪ Transgression

▪ Sin

▪ Iniquity

▪ Deceit

Three Expressions of Forgiveness:

▪ Forgiven

▪ Covered

▪ Does not impute

“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

—Luke 7:47

II. The Pain of Deceit (3-4)

▪ Physical Effects

▪ Emotional Effects

▪ Spiritual Effects

III. The Path of Honesty (5)

“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

—John 3:21

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

—Proverbs 28:13

▪ I acknowledged MY sin

▪ MY iniquity I did not hide

▪ I will confess MY transgressions

▪ You forgave the guilt of MY sins

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

—1 John 1:8-9

IV. Advice from a Forgiven Man (6-11)

▪ Seek God’s protection (6-7)

▪ Follow God’s guidance (8)

▪ Don’t be stubborn (9)

▪ Two paths- the choice is ours (10)

▪ Worship (11)

Applications

1. Be honest to God (and ourselves)

2. Be honest to others

▪ Experience authentic community

▪ Give others the freedom to struggle

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

—James 5:16

▪ Restore those who have fallen

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

—Galatians 6:1

Heart Preparation For Communion

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

—1 John 1:8-9