[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

[Tabatha]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

Great is the anguish of the soul, when first the Spirit reveals sin. Day brings no joy, and night supplies no ease. An intolerable burden oppresses the mind. This is the Lord's hand. Thus He shakes from security's delusive pillow. Thus He directs the footsteps to the cross. But until Christ is seen, What misery is undergone! Feverish heat fries up the pores. The frame is parched, as plains beneath the sultry sun. The body weakens; the bones are tottering as in extreme old age; the howls of grief betray the tortured mind.

At length relief is found. God is revealed as pardoning all sin in Christ. The glories of the saving cross is shown. The contrite sinner flies in haste. He lies in deep humility. He pours out every secret of his melted heart. He recounts the train of life long iniquity; He confesses, " Thus and thus I have done." The mass is mountain-high. The stain is deeper than scarlet-dye. The language of the cross is heard- all is forgiven! all is blotted out!

Sometimes we resist the truth about ourselves because of pride, also the enemy has blinded us to our own selfishness. We never realize we are being deceived until we are there. Denying our sins at times is just plain stubborness, we don't like to admitt we can be wrong in the life we have chosen.

If through grace we have received Christ. There is redemption through His blood, repentance brings forgiveness of all our sins. His cross redeems from transgression, inquity, and sin. His righeousness hides all guilt, that God's omniscient eye no more discerns it. His blood wipes out all record of iniquity. For the believer's sin may be searched for, but thet shall not be found. Such blessedness is the fruit of faith. The honest mind, the truthful heart, the honest purpose, are the fruits of repentance.

[Commissioned]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us?
Self-deceit operates with sin to enslave us by keeping us from confessing our sins so that we are freed to enjoy forgiveness. Instead the guilt of sin destroys our feedom and drains us emotionally.

How does confession enable us to get free from sin?
When we confess the sin God promises that He will forgive us of our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[b[Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes? [/b]
W sometimes resist the truth about ourselves because of pride, and not wanting to be seen in the eyes of others as one who has committed a particular sin. But when we realize the freedom of sins forgiven we repent and is washed cleaned.

[Elwood C O'Dell]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us?

Deceit causes us not to be honest about what God is dealing with us about. It causes us to not want to admit to the truth concerning our sin. Deceit causes one to try and cover up their sin. This enslaves us by not allowing us to live truthfully for we are perpetuating a fraud.

How does confession enable us to get free from sin?

Confession requires that we face up to our sin, acknowledge it, and not try to cover it over or hide from it. True confession, would have to include a Godly sorrow for the sin, repentance, a turning from the sin. True confession causes us to have to be brutally honest before God in the confrontation regarding sin in our lives.

Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves?

Our pride can stand in the way of being willing to acknowledge the truth about ourselves. Many times we don’t want to deal with the agony that comes with the guilt caused by sin so we try and rationalize our situation to ease the emotional drain that sin causes.

What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

It takes the convicting power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and sometimes He uses another person who is willing to step up and confront us about the sin in our life.

[charisbarak]

We are enslaved by sin & self-deceit when we make excuses or rationalize our behavior. Yes, carrying this guilt hurts us over a period of time.

"If we confess our sins God is faithful & just & will forgive us our sins & cleanse us from all unrighteouness. I John 1:9" We confess, repent--turn away from sinning--and we will feel freedom because we are cleansed by Him! He already knows anyway--so for our healing we need to confess.

I think it hurts to face the truth about ourselves. We can see other's thoughts about us in their faces. I think pride comes in here as well.

Sometimes it takes being "found out" to turn us, or, a friend might confront us. The Holy Spirit can & does convict us. Praise God!

[JustJeff]

Deceit means we deceive ourselves in to believing that we are in control when in fact we are not. It is sin that is reigning in us, causing us to do things we know that we should not. Addicts are a good example as they spend years in denial while the devil is having a heyday with them. I was one and I know.
Once one admits that they have sinned we are able to allow the Lord to deliver us, take the burden from us. This give us the ability to repent, to turn to God.
Pride causes us to overlook that which we believe to be a shortcoming. The truth is, we are all human and we are all subject to sin, no matter how long we serve the Lord.
Oftentimes it takes someone who truly loves us to make us see. That most likely could be the Word, the Holy Spirit or a true brother or sister.

[Stan]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

It leaves us open to futher and more harmful disobediance. We fail to ask God's forgiveness and also refuse to admit we are wrong making us in effect in placeof God. We need like David to always admit to God that we are sinful and seek His forgiveness and mercy like David. God is just like John said and He will forgiveour unrighteousness.

Confession allows us to recieve the forgiveness that Jesus shed His blood so that we might be free from our sin and come closer to God with a renewed faith.

We resits be cause of guilt and not wanting to admit that we fail. Sin is easy confession hard,sin is of the world and confession from God. We need confession tocomeinto our newness of life that Jesus promised we would have when we admit our sins.

God's word will leads us there if we read and believe but if we refuse to read then we need some one to consel us and direct us. If we continue to live in sin then Jesus will pierce our hearts and have something to enter our lives toredirect our steps. We must accept that Jesus lovesus and will not leave us and be drawn to a willingness to confess first that we are a sinful people and need His mercy every day.

[davidjjj]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to
enslave us?

It protects sin! Sin is safe and well in our lives when it is intentionally or unintentionally unnoticed. David talks of no longer covering up his iniquity (32:5), while it is covered up its effects are at work within us. The Scripture speaks of the conscience, and when our conscience is calloused or seared we are less aware of the reality of our sinfulness


How does confession enable us to get free from sin?

Confession invites God “in” to deal with our sin. Sin separates us from intimate fellowship with God and we see through the cross that it is God’s desire to bring restoration. God has deemed that the way of appropriating the cleansing work of the cross is through humble confession, i.e. agreeing with God about the sinfulness of what we have done and seeking His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9)

Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves?

We are stubborn (like the horse and mule) we sometimes feel we can hide our sin from God (32:5) we try to “cover” (5) our sin where we need God to “cover” our sin (1), if our spirit is deceitful we can lie to ourselves –it’s the poor in spirit who realize their need of God (Mat 5)

What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

I think one answer to this question is God’s loving discipline (see Hebrews 12). We read of God’s “heavy hand” upon David (32:4). Hardship (Heb 12:7 NIV) can be a way God trains us and gets us back on track. Maybe this is what was happening…to be honest I am not sure exactly how God’s discipline was happening for David, but I do know their was discomfort in his life which he attributed to God (32:3-4) (bones wasted away … groaning all day long…strength sapped…) It was this discomfort (maybe in his conscience?)that brought him to the place where he acknowledged his sin (32:5)

Apart from God’s discipline we can learn truth through observing others: David in verse 6 seems to be saying- learn from my mistakes and don’t hide your sin- pray and let God free you!

We can learn from God rebuke too- David encourages us not to be stubborn like the horse and mule (32:9) other wise it is discipline time! (i.e. God training/discipline like a bit and bridle to get us going in the right direction)

[EuniceC]

Self deceit makes us feel that we have done nothing wrong, and makes us want to justify what we have done. The Holy Spirit speaks to us, but we deny Him audience in our hearts and continue to make ourselves believe that what we have done is okay.



The heaviness in our hearts when we have sinned and know it, can only be taken away when we confess. As long as we don't confess, the Holy Spirit is not free to move about in our hearts and to live with us, and we feel alien to Him,

Confession frees us by letting us come to terms with the sin and dealing with I, we need to admit our wrong, and get the reconciliation we need from God, for without Him, we are nothing, and with sin ruling our lives, we don't have Him.



We feel too proud to admit our wrongs, we feel we know it all, we are justified and we are right, so we do not see the sin in God's eyes.



Sometimes, God brings us to a place where we realize that we cannot go on: deep conviction, heaviness, a sadness that cannot be relived by anything. Here, we begin to see with God's eyes, which is the Holy Spirit in us. Sometimes, like the prodigal son, we come to the realization that disobedience has brought us to this place and if we had been obedient, we wouldn't be suffering like this, and that makes us go back for confession.

[Patricia A]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5)



How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us?

Happy the people whose God is the Lord. They have work to do, temptations to grapple with, and afflictions to bear, and are weak in themselves; but his grace is their strength. We become slaves to sin when we believe we can defeat sin in our own strength. We deceive ourselves when we believe this.

How does confession enable us to get free from sin?

When we confess our sins and ask God to give us His strength to overcome sin, we become free. We can know this freedom from the bondage of sin by asking forgiveness and asking the Lord to with us as we strive to live holy lives.

Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves?

We sometimes resist the truth about ourselves because we are slaves to sin and try to lives in our own strength. We must ask God for His strength to overcome sin and live righteous lives. We often have to deny ourselves temporary pleasure to overcome sin and until we realize temporary pleasures are nothing compared to eternal life with the Lord, we may resist the truth about ourselves.



What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

In order to see the truth at certain times, it may be necessary to deal with trials and struggles. In dealing with struggles and temptations, if we turn to God, we may be made aware of our sinful nature and the need to have God in our lives at all times. It is important to pray to the Lord to help us to learn from our trials and to grow stronger in wanting to glorify and serve Him. We need to study the Word and perhaps get advice from strong Christians to help us see the truth about ourselves and our actions.

[ella]

Self deceit joins withsin to trap us. It uses guilt to prevent us from confessing sin.
Guilt entraps us and steals our joy.
By confessing our sin, God forgives us and we are made righteous in his eyes. Pride and shame cause us to resit the truth about ourselves. the Holy Spirit uses his power to confront us with the
truth about ourselves.

[nerradb]

As people we can fall into sin, we try to justify it, we fall into self-deceit and say its not that bad, no one will know or we say its too late, it wont matter or we say we are only human, thats the way I am. Sometimes we can think it is easier to sin. satan uses these lies intentionally to bring us down. The fact is we have sinned and satan has power over the situation and he will push it as far as he can a little more each time. By confessing our sin, we give the power of the the situation over to God, he washes it away. We need to pray for God to show us the truth and also pray against any further situations and ask God to keep satan far away. God does not put us in a situation we can not handle, especially with God on our side.

[Loisb]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

1. Self-deceit keeps us burdened with a guilty conscience.

2. Confession and prayer frees our conscience from guilt.

3. Confession to a minister or someone else enables us to see our mistakes. Sometimes we can't see them ourselves.

[Helen Williams]

Self deceit can enslave us when we keep quiet, fail to admit the truth and confess our sins. It is hard to admit quilt when it is "self." We are quick to point out others sin. Maybe we are thinking it will just go away, wishful thinking. Confession and true repentant releases us, and set us free. We have to admit that our principle offense is against God.

We resist the truth about self because sometime it is hard to think that we could not do such a thing. It is even harder when we have been in it for so long. As we know the truth will set us free. When we measure our self against another individual we don't look so bad. But when we measure self according to the word of God then we realize we are in need of a Helper. We need God's forgiveness. It might be that God has to allow trouble, hard times, or maybe a word is planted for us to see the truth.

[csreeves]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

Self-deceit is a downward spiral keeping us stuck forever causing confusion. Confession frees up from that cycle and esp. clears us from sin. Most times we resist thinking we can control our own life and another life is so foreign that it is totally unbelieveable-something that can't be imagined isn't "trustworthy" unless a dramatic and shocking experience or awakening happens that shakes our world and opens our eyes and then we believe.

[emmaus]

When our conscious tells us we have sinned and we brush it aside thinking it's not important, we're lying to ourselves. When I've done something I shouldn't have or not done something I should have, I can't get it out of my mind until I confess it and ask God for forgiveness.

Once I confess it I am free of the burden of it. I think we deny the truth about ourselves because of pride. We just don't like admitting we've messed up.

When we see someone else in the same circumstances then we might see what we ourselves look like. We need to examine ourselves to make sure we are right with the Lord. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

[KelvinJC]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

1) It is this self-deceit in our inner person that is so self-destructive. We might know deep down that we've done something wrong, but at the surface level we rationalize our actions, refusing to admit the depth of our guilt. The result David describes from personal experience in verses 3 and 4 -- a physical and emotional drain that takes its toll on the life. The key is to apply truth to the self-deceit. When we apply lies to mask our sin, the result is ultimately unsatisfying. There is no secular substitute for forgiveness. The inner soul of a human being cries out for relief from guilt at some level. We should allow self-deceit operate with sin.

2) Confession and repenting in the name of the Lord, our sins are then washed away / forgiven by the blood of the Lamb.

3) We resist the truth about ourselves is because we are living in a complecancy world and we love what we are doing. There are times that we know we are sinning but we kept on doing it because it gives us pleasure. However, we need to face the truth of God that we shouldnt do it.

4) Sometimes, in the worst case, we will need to face the consequences before we can see the truth. Perhaps, we can counsel the pastors, teachers and other fellow believers.

[Ms CJ]

Q1. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?


How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us?

* We rationalize our sin and make it someone else fault or we justify it.

How does confession enable us to get free from sin?

* We know that we are forgiven first by God and when we know that then we release our self from the sin and the guilt and shame.

Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves?

* Pride, flesh and wrong thinking

What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

* David stated, his bones were wasting away and the hand of God was heavy on him.

[Cheni]

(Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? We often try to rationalize what we've done and sometimes even switch the focus and blame someone else for the consequences. This is self-destructive because we truly can't justify our actions or sins, we are only justified through Christ. This creates a physical and emotional drain upon our lives. We can never be satisfied when operating at this level.

How does confession enable us to get free from sin? We become healed and thus forgiven. We no longer have to hide from ourselves or others. Repentance brings God's forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.

Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? Shame. Defeat. Worthlessness. Battered, beaten, scorned.

What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes? An emotional or spiritual breakdown - a God encounter! Burning bush, vision, etc.

[Don W]

Many times self-deceit operates with our sin in order to enslave us by making us feel “comfortable” in our sin or excusing our sin in some way or other, such as one of the oldest excuses in the world is the one I’ve heard from children as well as adults, and that is “that everyone is doing it.” That is not true at all but makes for a “comforting” thought that we are not alone in what we do that is sinful (which is true), but it doesn’t make the sinful things we (and everyone else does) any less sinful against our God and His people then they really are; and so thus we are enslaved to sin when we excuse it as so many people do instead of confessing the truth to God (He knows us and our ways anyhow) and then being freed and forgiven for our sin when we confess them to the Lord and He frees and forgives and even forgets our sin that we have done against Him. Sometimes we resist the truth about ourselves because of our self-deceit and our excusing the sin we do, but this often takes us into a miserable, sinful existence and away from having any real fellowship with our God and our brethren; and sometimes even in sickness, poor health, more problems in our lives that we cannot solve by ourselves, and even death from these things, as Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians 11:29-32 for those who didn’t recognize the Lord’s body when they partook of the Lord’s Supper, and brought judgment to themselves. Sometimes it takes the truth of God’s Word being spoken to us by another Christian or in church or when we read God’s Word or even when we get sick and are in poor health to see this truth in ourselves about sin and our need to confess and repent to God our Lord and Savior from it in our lives; but as we mature in the Lord and His Word, most of us don’t really wait that long to see our need to confess and repent of our sin before the Lord and do it right away after we’ve sinned against Him so we can once again enjoy the beautiful closeness of fellowship with Him and each other that we had before we sinned. At least this has been my experience in my life and what I see in others in my fellowship groups who seem to be maturing in the Lord by getting closer and more intimate with Him as Lord and Savior. But once in awhile it still takes something more drastic from His hand to get us to see our need to confess and repent (or turn completely away) from our sin when we’re detoured down the wrong way on the one-way and right way to heavenly glory! If we are truly believers and trust in Him as our Lord and Savior, then He will take whatever it takes to get us going the right way again as Jesus will finish His work within us and has set the way before us by being here on the earth and going to the cross at Calvary. He set the way for us to follow and obey Him and this narrow path (or road) will lead us to His glorious heavenly kingdom!!!!! Amen!