Confession for Personal Renewal

Sunday in our worship hours we will celebrate the Lord's Supper. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians11:28, "Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup" (NIV). In preparation for Sunday (or in our ongoing efforts to walk closely with our Lord) the following prayer and confession points have been helpful to me.

CONFESSION FOR PERSONAL RENEWAL

The following is a list of common sins that prevent God from blessing and using our lives.  As you prayerfully read this, examine yourself and circle or underline the areas that apply to you.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”                                     

                                                            Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.”   

                                                            Psalm 19:12 (NIV)

MATTHEW 6:12-14:  YOUR RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHERS

Have you been holding a grudge against anyone? Have you been secretly unforgiving? Desiring revenge? Secretly jealous of someone? Harboring bitterness? Unwilling to forget a misunderstanding? Hateful? Do you avoid people you dislike but need your love? Are you critical or judging of others?  Do you justify your bad attitude by claiming it is their fault? Do you gossip to feel superior or better about yourself? Have you worn a self-protective mask and failed to let people get close to you?

MATTHEW 6:33: YOUR PRIORITIES

In what areas of your life have you failed to put God first? Do any of the following interfere with doing God’s will…your personal ambitions and goals, your fun and hobbies, your job, your desire to get rich, your own plans, your habits, your friendship, your family? Do you find you don’t have time for God?  For prayer?  For Bible reading? For small group?  Have other activities made you irregular at worship? Is there anything you would be unwilling to give up if God asked you?

EPHESIANS 4:31: ATTITUDES

Do you complain and whine about your circumstances? Are you ungrateful? Irritable or cranky? Always speak negatively? Do you get angry easily and blow up or pout? Are you ever harsh or unkind? Un-teachable? Sarcastic? Do you put down others instead of building them up? Do you worry about things God wants you to trust Him with? Are you fearful or anxious? Do you try to control people or circumstances? Impatient? Prideful or stubborn?

COLOSSIANS 3:9:  INTEGRITY

Are you honest in all your dealings? Do you find it easy to lie? Do you exaggerate to make yourself look better: Leave a better impression of yourself than is true? Have you cheated on taxes? Have you stolen things? Failed to return things? Do you do good things hoping to impress others? Do you pretend to live one way in front of your Christian friends and another way at home or at work? Do you keep your promises? Are you dependable?

ROMANS 12:1-2:  YOUR MIND

Have you failed to guard your mind from unhealthy, ungodly input? Have you filled your mind with sleazy or profane movies, television programs, magazines, or books? Do you participate in entertainment that causes you to have impure thoughts? Pornography? Do you spend more time with the TV or the Internet than with God’s Word? Are you lazy in memorizing scripture verses?

ACTS 20:35: YOUR MONEY AND POSSESSIONS

Have you failed to dedicate all of your possessions to the Lord? Have you acted like your possessions belong to you, not God? Have you robbed God by not giving him the 10% tithe that he commands? Do you find yourself resentful or defensive when asked to give to God’s work? Are you eager to get rich? Are you stingy with wealth? Have you failed to trust God with your finances? Do you need to be more generous with what God has given you?

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20:  YOUR BODY

Are you in any way careless with your body or health? Is there any activity or habit that is harmful to you? Are you lazy or undisciplined?

2 CORINTHIANS 5:7: WALKING BY FAITH

Do you tend to follow your moods or feelings rather than doing what you know is right? Do you allow your emotions to be inspired for the Lord at church but then do nothing about it? Do you focus more on your circumstances instead of the promises of God? Have you failed to trust God with the disappointments of your life?

HEBREWS 10:25:  YOUR CHURCH FAMILY AND MINISTRY

Are you accountable to any small group of believers for growth? Are you using your God-given shape in some ministry? Do you pray for your church and your pastors? Have you been critical instead of helpful? Have you expected to be “fed” without giving back?

JOSHUA 24:15:  YOUR FAMILY

Are you unkind to those you live with? Do you pray for them? Do you need to ask forgiveness from a family member? Have you been unfaithful to your spouse mentally, emotionally, or physically?

ACTS 20:24:  YOUR MISSION IN THE WORLD

Have you failed to share the Good News of Christ…with your relatives? With friends? With co-workers? With neighbors? Kept silent in fear?

ASK GOD TO REMIND YOU OF ANYTHING THAT HAS HINDERED HIS BLESSING ON YOUR LIFE.  1 John 1:9  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”