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God says,

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” NIV

James 5:16

Many struggle with sins which are difficult to overcome.  Time after time people make commitments to refrain from falling into temptation, yet they find themselves powerless to resist when it presents itself.

Demons want to sin

Many persistent sins are energized by demons that dwell within want to sin.  Until you are delivered of the demons that amplify the urge to trespass, you will not be able to overcome in that area.

Some think that demonic possession is like portrayed by Hollywood in the movie “the exorcist” but most of the time demonic possession is not that dramatic. Usually, demons wish to hide themselves and do not like to be identified, preferring to continue their mischief in secret.  More often than not, demons simply amplify the urges that you already yield to in order to influence their host to act out in ways that are not godly.

Pride is a stronghold for demons

The chief stronghold of demons is pride.  People hide their sins many times because they wish to be viewed as “having it all together.”  It is written,

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Peter 5:5

Humility pleases God

In Africa, where I minister, when people come to ask for us to pray for them to be healed of A.I.D.S., we counsel them to confess the sin that caused them to contract the disease.  If they have fornicated or committed adultery (which is not always the case), we suggest that before all they confess what they did and publicly repent.  In this way they humble themselves before God and man allowing their heavenly Father to give them grace and heal them.  This type of confession and repentance is very difficult, but if they are truly serious about getting God’s attention they will make a total confession.

The truth about A.I.D.S. is that it is God’s way of publicly displaying sin which is often times done in secret.  God wants the world to know that adultery and fornication is sin and so highlights it with this dreaded disease.  Sexual sin used to be highlighted with syphilis but with the advent of antibiotics, man made that indicator of sin ineffectual.  Therefore, God brought A.I.D.S and again began drawing attention to His displeasure with immorality.

Confess your sins one to another

Likewise, if you are struggling with a sin that has a hold which you cannot shake, you might consider confessing this sin to someone too.  If it is truly life threatening like A.I.D.S., you might consider public confession and repentance to let God know you are serious about seeking His grace, mercy, and healing.  After all, if you are going to die anyway, you might as well try it God’s way and see what happens.

Pride keeps us bound in our sins

In conclusion, pride, in a very real sense, is what is killing many and keeping them bound.  When we confess our sins one to another, we humble ourselves and ask God to give us grace. Even when God himself says you are going to die, like King Hezekiah, you can turn his face to the wall and pray for mercy.  Even though God had pronounced His death, God changed his mind and added fifteen years to the King’s life, simply because he was contrite.  Little in God’s economy, due to His merciful nature, is set in stone, for He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but wants all to come to repentance and have everlasting life.

Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road by The Gatlin Brothers

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