Spiritual Vomit
True confession of sin requires a genuine desire to forsake sin and a resolve to change one's behavior in order to experience the mercy and forgiveness of God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of true penitential confession, which must be accompanied by a genuine desire to reform and forsake sin. He asserts that mere confession without the intention to abandon sin is futile, as God requires both elements for forgiveness. Brooks likens confession to a spiritual vomit, where one must earnestly wish to rid themselves of the burden of sin, just as a sick person desires relief from their discomfort. He stresses that true confession involves a heartfelt commitment to not repeat the sins confessed, highlighting the importance of both confession and reformation in the believer's life.
Text
"He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever
confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13
True penitential confession is joined with reformation. That
confession of sin which carries forgiveness of sin with it, is
attended with serious desires, and earnest endeavors of
reformation. Confession of sin must be joined with forsaking
of sin--or all is lost. God will never cross the book, He will
never draw the red lines of Christ's blood over the black lines
of our transgressions--unless confessing and forsaking of sin,
goes hand in hand. He who does not forsake his sin, as well
as confess it, forsakes the benefit of his confession.
Indeed, there is no real confession of sin, where there is no
real forsaking of sin. It is not enough for us to confess the
sins we have committed--but we must peremptorily resolve
against the committing again the sins we have confessed.
We must desire as freely to forego our sins, as we do desire
God to forgive us our sins.
Confession of sin is a spiritual vomit. Now you know, a man
who is sick in his stomach, is heartily willing to be rid of that
load on his stomach; and so a man who is real in his confession
of sin, is as heartily willing to be rid of his sin, that lies as a
load upon his conscience, as any sick man can be heartily
willing to be rid of that load that lies upon his stomach.
The penitential confessor does as heartily desire to be delivered
from the power of his sins--as he does desire to be delivered
from the sting and punishment of his sins.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Confession and Reformation
- The Nature of True Penitential Confession
- The Relationship Between Confession and Forsaking Sin
- No real confession of sin without real forsaking of sin
- Confession without forsaking is not enough
Key Quotes
“Confession of sin is a spiritual vomit.” — Thomas Brooks
“He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” — Thomas Brooks
“We must desire as freely to forego our sins, as we do desire God to forgive us our sins.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- I must confess my sin and forsake it in order to experience God's mercy and forgiveness.
- I must desire to change my behavior and turn away from sin in order to experience spiritual healing.
- I must resolve to forsake sin and seek God's help to overcome it.