Spoiled Milk

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 28

Gold Nugget

Verse 13: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Commentary

Out of sight may be out of mind for some things, but not for everything. They say there isn’t any use in crying over spilled milk either, but spilled milk behind the couch maybe out of sight, but it won’t be out of mind when it starts to sour. There are many things we try to pretend doesn’t or didn’t happen. Dirt continually swept under the carpet will build a lump that everyone can see and you will eventually trip over. Many of us attempt to go through this life with our faults and weaknesses unattended to. Pride or carelessness drives us to overlook our own faults and sins as if they are not issues that need to be dealt with. Whether it’s because we have a twisted perception of God’s grace or whether we just don’t care about spiritual growth, our hidden or ignored sins will catch up with us.

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we ask Him to forgive us of our sins and we are immediately cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), but as we continue to walk with Him, we must deal with our weak areas as they arise. If we fail to reflect Godly character, we must identify and repent of our sins and look for change in our behavior. Trying to pretend that these things didn’t happen will stunt our spiritual growth, causing pain and hurt to others. As today’s “gold nugget” says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”  When we do see we have failed to be the people He wants us to be, we should not try to “cover” our sins, but rather we hurry to confess them and receive the mercy that heals both us and others we have hurt. Some things left unattended will begin to sour or rot. If we overlook it we may grow used to the smell and not find it so offensive and we may actually become so blind that we wonder why others are not pleased to be close to us. Leaving sin unattended will leave us spiritually smelling soured, spoiled and rotten. We would be quick to clean up spilled milk and throw out things that would rot. Why would we be so ignorant of leaving sin in our lives if they will have the same effect?

Prayer

Lord, when I fail to obey you and cause harm to others with my behavior, I want to be quick to repent of my sins and receive your mercy and corrective plan. Please don’t allow me to try and cover my sins as if they don’t exist. This will only ensure that they mount up and cause continued harm to you, me and others.  Amen

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