Renounce It!

Installment #13 of my self-assigned project to study the "re" words in God's Word. (For further explanation of this undertaking, refer to the entry titled "Reach, Read and Reap" from February 3, 2011.)

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Renounce


(verb) to give up or put aside voluntarily (such as renouncing worldly pleasures); to give up by formal declaration; to disown or forsake

"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13


Sin is sin and it is detestable in God's eyes. Concealed or hidden sin, those things kept hidden away in a dark closet so no one will see (either done by us, or to us), causes us to withdraw, be less effective for Christ, and can saddle us with shame. We carry it like a burden, or sometimes like a 50 lb. piece of luggage! God's Word says that only when we confess our sins to another, and voluntarily choose to give up, put down, disown, forsake, walk away from or sever ties with such sin, will we find mercy. Only when we are obedient to do things His way, according to His Word, will freedom be granted. And once you get a taste of true freedom, you will prayerfully not ever want to go back the weight of sin and shame again! God's Word says in Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Confessing and renouncing sin effectively means calling it by name, for what it is, out loud - then asking for the Father's forgiveness, and declaring to turn from it. One of the most effective prayer concepts I have found comes from a program I work with called Freedom in Christ. Though the actual program takes a thorough inventory of one's life, the concept of the prayers work for any situation. If you are plagued with guilt and shame over a sin that is hidden away in your heart, use the following prayer to guide you in confession and renouncing it before the Lord out loud or with a trusted friend. ("Out loud" because the enemy cannot hear your thoughts - only God is all-knowing or omniscient. And you want him to know you are declaring freedom from the bondage he wants to keep you in!)

Lord, I confess that I have knowingly/willfully/passively participated in the sin of _____(name the sin)____ . I now know that it was/is detestable in Your sight. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I now choose to renounce (willfully turn away from) any and all involvement with _____(name the sin)____ as I live by faith in You. In Jesus' trustworthy name I pray, amen.

May God bless you with a taste of His freedom today!