“I acknowledge my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid…and thou forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).
Recently, we had ants in our kitchen. We were covered in ants even after we had our house exterminated three times. What we failed to do was find the main source they were coming from. Once we discovered it, our ant problem was solved. It’s the same with sin. Once we discover the hidden iniquity, the main source, then our sin problem can be solved.
If you are serious about getting rid of the annoying things in your life, you must find the source. In Nehemiah 9:2-3, Nehemiah told the people of his time that there was a direct correlation between their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
“Then the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers” (Nehemiah 9:2).
Everyone knows to confess their sins, but that is not all that needs to be done. Sin is a representation of something much deeper; it represents an iniquity. We must dig deep to discover iniquities, which are the origin of sins. Satan wants the main source, the iniquity, to remain hidden. Iniquity is Satan’s access point to you and your entire family line.
When a sin is brought to your attention, confess the sin and the iniquity where it originated.
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34
Have you ever had to suffer because someone else disobeyed God? This was the life that Jesus lived on earth. His entire purpose was wrapped around paying a price He did not owe. Therefore, you can go to Jesus and talk to Him about you suffering because He completely understands how you feel.
Jesus suffered and died for the sins He never committed. He was innocent and never sinned, yet God required him to suffer and die. What kept Him from saying, “It’s not my fault”, or, “It’s just not fair, why me?” What kept Him from self pity? I believe that forgiveness was the “Power of God” that kept Jesus on the path headed to the cross.
Jesus walked on planet earth, feeling all the pain that we do, yet He did not give in to the pain. He walked before us and showed us how to walk daily in the Power of God as He walked in forgiveness. At the moment when He could have called down ten thousand angels to help Him, He instead cried out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
This same power from God is available to you right now. Choose to forgive and you will see the “Power of God” released in your situation.
“I acknowledge my sin to you and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgression to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told] – then you [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5 amp).
Sin is an action that originates from something much bigger, an iniquity. The enemy wants the iniquity to stay hidden. David realized that his sin was an expression of the same iniquities in his family line. Once he realized this, he asked God to continue unfolding the past until all was exposed.
The destruction of a generational iniquity can be traced back in a family tree. Generational iniquities are behind sinful habits that are hard to break. Read Psalm 18:23. An iniquity is hidden below the surface; it is the bent in your nature, the motive and pull you feel towards certain things that God says to stay away from. Sin is the action that carries out the iniquity.
David discovered that there was something pulling him towards certain sins. It was a hidden and subconscious fault that caused him to automatically do certain things.
David prayed: “Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults” (Psalm 21: 12 Amp).
“Fear not; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today…” II Chronicles 20:17
Moses knew the Israelites were struggling with fear. That is why he said, “Fear not!” Once when they were fearful, the children of Israel said, “Just leave us alone” (Exodus 14:12).
When you have lived under bondage for a long time, as the children of Israel had, you don’t know how to live in freedom. You can actually be fearful of the unknown. Pharaoh had complete control over the children of Israel, which was bondage; but they had lived under his control for so long they were fearful of another way of life.
When someone has had control over you, and you step outside of their control, be aware you will feel different at first. You may feel an apprehension of the unknown; so, be careful not to give in to the “fear of the unknown.” The fear of living outside of that person’s influence is sometimes stronger than the fear of being controlled. If someone has controlled you, your feelings, your decisions, and even dictated your choices, you won’t know how to stand on your own two feet. If you give in to fear, you can begin to think it is better to be back under that person and submit to their lordship rather than to believe that you can trust the Lord, hear His voice, and make your own decisions.
If you have lived under fear of how someone will respond when you make your own decision, then you are allowing their emotional responses to control you. I can just hear the children of Israel, “Oh, no, He is really mad now! You know what happens when Pharaoh gets mad.” My question to you today is this: Do you find yourself saying something similar? “I don’t want _________to get mad. Or, “I will do anything to keep him happy.”
Another fear is the “fear of punishment.” We don’t live in Egypt under Pharaoh, but we can live in bondage to other people and be fearful of their punishment of rejection, which is a form of emotional abuse. Many people who have an unmet need for acceptance are in bondage because of their need for acceptance and approval from others.
You will get a drop of approval from a person, but never get a full glass. You then wait and wait for another drop, but it never comes. That person is controlling you by that one drop they gave you. Don’t be overcome by the “fear of rejection.” That person will only continue to drag you along into their games of manipulation and control. If they see you are beginning to falter, they will give you one more drop to keep you in their snare.
A person who keeps you in fear of being rejected is not being a true friend. Fear is not a friend; fear is your enemy. Draw nigh to God, resist the devil (fear) and he will flee from you (James 4:7). The Word “resist” simply means: stand firm, oppose, and refuse to go along with that person who is causing you to be in fear.
Recently, we had ants in our kitchen. We were covered in ants even after we had our house exterminated three times. What we failed to do was find the main source they were coming from. Once we discovered it, our ant problem was solved. It’s the same with sin. Once we discover the hidden iniquity, the main source, then our sin problem can be solved.
