Rhythm of Repentance
"Respectable Sins"
These are "small" sins that are respected, and in some cases even celebrated by the world, but they are no less destructive. These sins destroy us little by little and we must be attentive to recognize them. Some of them are actually even "good" things that have taken more and more of our lives and hindered our relationship with God.
Avoiding
Examples: Social media, food, alcohol, video games, shopping, porn, etc. (same as Distraction with different motivation)
Freedom: Face the challenge, pain, etc.
Matthew 26:36-39
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Freedom: Face the challenge, pain, etc.
Matthew 26:36-39
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Distraction
Examples: Social media, food, alcohol, video games, shopping, porn, etc. (same as "Avoiding" with different motivation)
Freedom: Be Proactive. Take next Step with God.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
Freedom: Be Proactive. Take next Step with God.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
Hurry & Dangerously Tired
Examples: overfull schedule, to do list longer than the day, taking overtime instead of sabbath, regularly not getting enough sleep, workaholism, etc.
Freedom: Rest, Sabbath Rest, & Solitude
Luke 5:15-16
But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.
Freedom: Rest, Sabbath Rest, & Solitude
Luke 5:15-16
But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.
Comparison
Examples: jealousy, criticality, judgmental, comparing your inner life to the outer lives posted on social media; comparing your finances, family, career, etc. to your peers
Freedom: Contentment
Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Freedom: Contentment
Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Complaining
Examples: frustration, dissatisfaction, negative thoughts and feelings about your circumstances, vocalizing negative words, etc.
Freedom: Lament
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, Instead, bring your grief to God.
Psalm 13
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Freedom: Lament
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, Instead, bring your grief to God.
Psalm 13
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Pride
Examples: believing your accomplishments are your own, relying on yourself more than God, expecting to get you what you “deserve.”
Freedom: Humility & Surrender
Luke 14:11
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Freedom: Humility & Surrender
Luke 14:11
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Selfishness (See also Inward Focus)
Examples: selfish ambition, holding on tightly to possessions, avoiding responsibility, taking more than your share, etc.
Freedom: Generosity
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Freedom: Generosity
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Inward Focus
Examples: putting your needs and wants before others, taking advantage of others, a "Me-First" attitude, etc.
Freedom: Outward focus
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Freedom: Outward focus
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Anger
Examples: can’t control your tongue, harsh with your children or spouse, passive aggressive, self-directed anger, road rage, impatience, etc.
Freedom: Patience
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Freedom: Patience
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Fear
Examples: lack of trust, insecurity, risk averse, preventing yourself from experiencing things. Side note: Often what you worry about most is actually what you are best at.
Freedom: Trust in God's Sovereignty
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
Freedom: Trust in God's Sovereignty
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
Laziness
Examples: Give excuses; waste time, energy and money; not taking care of your body; lack of serving, etc.
Freedom: Doing good works
Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Freedom: Doing good works
Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Gossip
Examples: sharing rumours, unnecessary negative talk about others, caught up in being "in the know," etc. (as Christians this is sometimes couched in terms of "let's pray for . . .")
Freedom: Silence or Encouragement
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.
Freedom: Silence or Encouragement
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.
Discontentment
Examples: constant struggle for more, never satisfied, unhealthy appetite to achieve or impress, etc.
Freedom: Contentment
Philippians 4:11b-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Freedom: Contentment
Philippians 4:11b-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
"Respectable" Addictions & Idols
Examples: Gluttony, workaholism, saving money, shopping, an activity/sport, a hobby, etc.
Freedom: Spiritual practices/positive priorities
Exodus 20:4-5
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God".
Freedom: Spiritual practices/positive priorities
Exodus 20:4-5
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God".
Corporate Prayer of Confession
Lord,
Forgive our sins. Forgive the sins that we remember, and the sins we have forgotten. Forgive us when we fall to temptation, and when we have been stubborn, refusing to obey Your voice. Forgive us when we have been prideful of our own efforts and when we have failed to boast in Your works. Lord, forgive the harsh judgments we have made of others, and the leniency we have shown to ourselves. Forgive the lies we have told to others, and the truths we have avoided. Forgive us the pain we have caused others and the indulgence we have shown ourselves. Forgive us when we have allowed sin to control us and when we allow good things to get in the way of You. Forgive our crowded, busy, distracted lives and call us back to You. Lord God, have mercy on us and make us whole. In Jesus Christ, our Savior’s name, Amen.
Forgive our sins. Forgive the sins that we remember, and the sins we have forgotten. Forgive us when we fall to temptation, and when we have been stubborn, refusing to obey Your voice. Forgive us when we have been prideful of our own efforts and when we have failed to boast in Your works. Lord, forgive the harsh judgments we have made of others, and the leniency we have shown to ourselves. Forgive the lies we have told to others, and the truths we have avoided. Forgive us the pain we have caused others and the indulgence we have shown ourselves. Forgive us when we have allowed sin to control us and when we allow good things to get in the way of You. Forgive our crowded, busy, distracted lives and call us back to You. Lord God, have mercy on us and make us whole. In Jesus Christ, our Savior’s name, Amen.