If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.    

1 John 1:8 

 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!                   

1 Corinthians 10:12  

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September 3, 2025

Two men went to pray  

One stood high and mighty 

Shaming the other from his cloak 

Thanking God, he’s not like him, he spoke 
The other man had heard Yet did not trip into pride    
Rather humbling himself Head down low, “I’m a sinner,” he cried…. 

You say before You I’m free, as I humble myself, have mercy on me” 

songsforrevival.com 

 

In Luke 18, Jesus contrasts the self-praising prayer of a Pharisee with the humble plea of a tax collector for mercy. The Pharisee thought he was doing pretty well. He probably had not committed any of the outwardly most grievous sins like murder. Yet we know that his pride and disdain for people he saw as “lesser” kept him from receiving the mercy he didn’t know he needed. 

What do you think about when it’s time to confess? Are you mentally going through the “bigs” and feeling good that you can check off “no” for lying, stealing, killing? 

If we walk in the light, the Spirit will point out other areas where we sin. Does He bring to mind any of these? Exaggeration. Defensiveness. Impatience. Prejudice. Bragging. Complaining. Criticizing. Gossip. Resentment. Rudeness. Lukewarm-ness. Unwillingness to serve. Self-centeredness.  

If your heart is tender towards God, something on this list will likely bring you to a place of humility and confession.* 

Our culture is desensitized to many things: violence, profanity, rudeness, greed, pride. Does downplaying our “acceptable” sins desensitize us to God’s holiness, our need of rescue, and the greatness of the grace extended to us? I think it does. The tax collector in Luke 18 was not desensitized to his hopeless condition; he faced it head on—and he was made clean. We would do well to humble ourselves like him as we confess.  

Thank God for His amazing mercy that covers it ALL! 

*From a longer list on https://www.crossroadsnewport.com/note/dangerous-prayers-the-role-of-confession-in-revival/ 

Questions for Reflection and Discussion: 

  • How might you move towards humility as you consider what you need to confess? 
  • How might you model or encourage your prayer partner(s) to be honest in confessing whatever God reveals to you? 

Church Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 27; 1 Corinthians 8