What do you do after you sin? Do you ruminate about it? Do you justify it? Do you tell others about it, or seek to hold it in? Since sin is a death sentence, our attitude and actions after we commit sin are important. Christians are under the second law of pardon, and it is therefore essential that they handle their sins correctly as they walk in the light.
David sinned greatly (2 Samuel 11), but his sin was not unforgiveable. In fact, his confession (2 Samuel 12:13) provided him an opportunity to be saved. Psalm 51, is the Psalm David wrote after his incident with Bathsheba and Uriah. Despite David’s disastrous dilemma, his penitence opened the door for forgiveness. We can learn some great lessons about what our repentance should look like after we sin. What should we do when we sin?
Recognize the fault (Psalm 51:1-3).
David could have called his adultery, an accident, and murder a mistake; however, he called his sin:
· Transgression
· Iniquity
· Sin
· Evil
· Blood guiltiness.
He recognized his error: “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Sin always lingers with the unconfessed ones who have not turned from it. Some judges in the court system may issue lesser sentences to criminals who confess their wrong actions. Those who deny their deeds can only find themselves unforgiven (1 John 1:9). If David would have denied his adultery, who knows what trouble God would have brought upon him. We must honestly and absolutely recognize the error we have committed every time we defy God. It would do us well to own up to our mistakes. David’s perfect penitence began with his acknowledgement of error, not a justification or denial of it.
Remember it was God against whom you transgressed (Psalm 51:4).
David said, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.”[1] David did do Uriah dirty, but it was God who ultimately was the victim. Every time we choose to sin, we pierce God’s heart with a sharp sword (Genesis 6:6; Ephesians 4:30). Recognizing our sin hurts God and because of that we feel godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10). Worldly sorrow is:
· Sorry one got caught.
· Saying “sorry,” but one has no determination to never do it again.
· Saying sorry only to get out of punishment.
David later acknowledge what sacrifices to God were acceptable (Psalm 51:16-19). Do you recognize your sin hurts God? Does this move you to strive never to perform such an action again? This is another part of perfect penitence.
Return not again to old sinful ways and rekindle the previous fire (Psalm 51:7-13).
A husband misses the turn on the way to their nephew’s wedding with his wife. She informs him of such and he says, “I’m sorry honey,” only to keep on driving on the same road, making them miss the wedding![2] This is not repentance. Some acknowledge their sin, understand it hurts God, feel very badly that they have hurt God, but do not make the necessary steps to change their ways. David wanted God to make him new. Remaining in his old ways was not going to work for him. Perhaps David determined to:
· Reverse[3] his actions. This is repentance.
· Reform his life. This is the action after repentance.
· Restitute his actions. This is making reconciliation. Did David do anything for Uriah’s family? We do know that David worshipped God (2 Samuel 12:20).
David was determined to keep on serving God. The God of NEW was going to give him new:
· Ears (Psalm 51:8). Every day, his conscience may have been telling him: “you are still unforgiven.”
· Bones (Psalm 51:8). David’s sin caused him physical pain.
· Heart (Psalm 51:10). David’s heart was one of stone, but he wanted God to make it one of purity.
· Mind (Psalm 51:12). Some think sin brings out the fullest of joys, but David knew it only brought terror and depression.
· Lips (Psalm 51:13). After David repented, he would be able to tell others of God’s great forgiveness.
Perfect penitence will lead to changed practices (Matthew 21:29) because if the heart is changed so will the body be. After every sin, we have the responsibility to show God a complete change. Renewing the fire is a continual action for all Christians (Ephesians 4:23).
Dwight L. Moody said, “Repentance is the tear in the eye of faith.” Repentance is the hardest command because it demands change; something of which few like to do. However, Jesus rightly concluded, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). David teaches us what true repentance looks like. No matter the sin, no matter the action, no matter the choice, anyone can repent like David. So, what will your Psalm look like after you sin?
[1]One should read 2 Samuel 12:13 where David says, “I have sinned against the Lord.” It was ultimately God who David sinned against.