Satan is the master of accusation. Revelation 12:10 identifies him as the “accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night.” Satan’s primary problem is that he is eaten up with jealousy over Jesus Christ. The enemy of our souls was the “morning star” who was “cast down to the earth” for saying in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa. 14:12–14). I practically shudder to even write that final blasphemy. Simply said, Satan wants what Christ has. He knows he can’t have it; therefore, he attempts to counterfeit and counteract everything Christ does.
In Luke 5:24, Christ announced emphatically, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Indeed, the acceptance of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ His Son swings our prison doors wide open. Satan knows that “what he [Christ] opens no one can shut.” (Rev. 3:7) If he is powerless to shut prison doors Christ has opened, what is Satan’s next best option? He can convince us to stay, even though we’ve been freed to leave. One of his primary methods of keeping freed men pinned by their own volition in their prison cells is accusation.
Never in all of Scripture does Christ resist the repentant sinner. He resisted the proud and the self-righteous religious but never the humble and repentant. Indeed, forgiveness is why He came. When we approach God in genuine repentance, taking full responsibility for our own sins, our prison doors swing open. Tragically, we could sit right there in our prison cells for the next five years in torment if we don’t stand on God’s promises and walk forward in His truth. Since Satan knows that forgiveness leads to freedom, he takes on the role of tormentor, taunting us with guilt and condemnation. If Christ has forgiven us, he does everything he can to see to it that we don’t forgive ourselves.
Picture a death-row inmate quarantined in his cramped prison cell. Evidence of who he’s been is scribbled in graffiti all over the cell walls. Now picture the inmate receiving a pardon from the governor. Imagine the click of the key as it unlocks the door, then the music of the door as it swings open. Before the inmate can stand to his feet and walk out the door, the warden of the prison walks in the cell, sits beside him, and says, “You can’t leave. You know what you’ve done. You know you’re guilty as charged. You know you deserve this filthy, miserable cell. Read what is written all over these walls. That’s the real you. It wouldn’t matter where you went, how you dressed. No one would be fooled. You’re the only fool. You’re a death-row inmate. You’ll never be free. Just sit right here with me, and I’ll keep you company.”
If this scene were in a movie, we’d be tempted to yell, “What are you doing? Are you crazy? The prison door is open! Get out of there!” Yet, you and I have reacted the same way at times in the spiritual realm. We were death-row inmates. Guilty as charged. The Governor’s Son appealed to His Father on our behalf and His Father, in turn, issued us a lifetime pardon. The moment we admitted our guilt and accepted our pardon, the prison doors were opened, and as much as Satan wishes he held the keys to lock them back again, he doesn’t. All he can do is try to keep us seated in an unlocked prison cell. He knows that we’ve been freed, but in order for us to live as free people, he also knows we must stand to our feet and walk out in truth. You and I both know too well what happens next. The prison warden does everything he can to convince us we belong there. Far too often, we’ve believed him.
Each Scripture-prayer in this chapter possesses one of two primary purposes: 1. To help ensure the presence of true repentance 2. To help the truly repentant to bask in the freedom of forgiveness
These two scriptural emphases are interwoven purposely throughout the chapter. The reason we must make absolutely sure biblical repentance has taken place is because, if it hasn’t, what we are calling “guilt” is probably the active and faithful conviction of the Holy Spirit. I remember a time in my college years when I was deeply puzzled over ongoing feelings of “guilt” deep within me over a sin for which I had asked forgiveness many times. I could not understand why I never felt out from under the weight or burden of it. Years later God pried open my eyes to 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly sorrow brings repentance.” Suddenly I realized that I had never developed a godly sorrow over that sin. I regretted it because I knew it wasn’t God’s will for my life, but I had had no real sorrow over it. In fact, “I realized I had cherished sin in my heart” (Ps. 66:18), hanging on to it emotionally though I had let go of it physically. I had done the right things, but I still felt the wrong things.
Please let me be very clear: God’s will was certainly for me to act in obedience immediately rather than waiting until I felt like it. However, I would not enjoy full freedom from the sin-burden until I let Him change my heart as well. When God opened my eyes to 2 Corinthians 7:10, I wept before the Lord and said, “I want to have godly sorrow for this sin so that I can be free . . . but I don’t, Lord! What can I do? Am I stuck with it forever?” His tender response was the same one He’s given virtually every time I have longed for something I lacked: “Pray for it, My child.” I began to pray for godly sorrow to come to me over that cherished sin. It came at first like the gentle morning tide, but ultimately it hit me like a tidal wave. I did not realize until then how different the concepts of regret and repentance are.
Does my story happen to ring a bell with you? Have you ever physically turned from a sin and ceased the activity, yet continued to cherish it to some degree in your heart? If so, we’re not alone. I cannot count the times believers have come to me in the last decade and told me that they had turned from a sinful relationship, for example, but could not seem to let go of the emotional tie. Although our circumstances may be different, like us, they were still “cherishing the sin in their hearts.” Godly sorrow is not defined by tears or outward displays of contrition. Godly sorrow is a change of heart resulting in complete agreement with God over the matter. You may say, “But, Beth, I can’t change the way I feel.” I understand. I’ve been there too. But that’s why it’s called “godly sorrow.” It’s a work of God: He can change our hearts. The change in our feelings will come from a change in our hearts. I particularly love the NIV rendition of 1 John 3:19–20 in reference to this subject: “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
When we are challenged to repent of cherished sin, all God is waiting for us to do is invite Him to change our hearts and bring about the supernatural work of true repentance. He’s looking for our willingness to let go of the sin, both physically and emotionally. You see, God will not let the issue rest until repentance takes up full residency in the heart. Why? Because until the heart change comes, we will continue to be at an overwhelming risk of returning to sinful actions.
Now let’s briefly turn our attentions to the second purpose of this chapter: to help the truly repentant bask in the freedom of forgiveness. Some issues are more gray than others, but we’ve now arrived at a place we can get black and white: once true repentance has taken place, any accusation and guilt we continue to feel is the enemy. In the life of a believer, “guilt” experienced before repentance is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. “Guilt” experienced after repentance is the condemnation of the evil one. My prayer is that some of these Scripture-prayers will help you begin standing firmly against your accuser by walking steadfastly in God’s truth. Please hear this with your heart: If you have truly repented of sin, you are forgiven no matter how you happen to “feel.” Remember, Christ boldly proclaimed that He has “authority on earth to forgive sins.” What are we implying when we repent of sin but let the evil one convince us to refuse to accept it? Are we saying that we can do our part (in repenting) but Christ can’t do His part (in forgiving)? I finally realized that my unwillingness to accept Christ’s complete forgiveness after my genuine repentance was an authority problem. I was in effect saying Christ couldn’t do His job. I found myself having to repent for refusing to receive forgiveness!
Please trust me when I say that I know about this guilt issue. Satan has used guilt, condemnation, and accusation to nearly be the death of me at times. You see, I was a young child when I received Christ, and yet I have sinned and failed miserably in my life. I nearly have to fight not to be jealous over the testimonies of those who only knew the real pit of sin prior to their salvation and have walked faithfully since. Every horrible sin I’ve ever committed has been with the Holy Spirit intact; I was as saved as could be. Oh, what grief strikes my heart again even as I share this testimony. As I grow to love Christ more, every now and then a wave of grief will come over me concerning my past sin, and I will cry to myself, “How could you have done such a thing to Him?” If I do not stop and pray immediately—restating His love for me and my righteousness in Him—Satan will take my wave of sorrow as a vulnerability to accusation, and he will proceed with a hurricane of condemnation. I have had to become extremely proactive against his accusations in order to fight the good fight of faith. You must, too. Incidentally, I learned how to get back at Satan for tempting me to sin then reveling in my failure: let God plunder the enemy by bringing so much good from the bad that Satan will regret ever taking me to that wilderness of sin. What divine vengeance occurs when we let God use our past failures to humble us, to refine us, and to use us all the more effectively!
You and I are about to cease cooperating with Satan’s schemes. Amen? If we are in Christ, we are not hopeless no matter which side of true repentance we’re on. As we pray the following Scriptures, if we realize we’ve never developed godly sorrow over certain sin, let’s ask Him for it! Then hang on, because He will be faithful to do it! If we have repented of sin and yet guilt keeps assailing us, let’s start refusing to absorb the accuser’s attacks any more, fighting back with prayer and God’s Word. Have we been sitting in unlocked prison cells? Is the door wide open? It’s time to stand in God’s promises and walk out in His truth.
Father, I thank You that if my heart has been responsive and I humbled myself before You and if I have had a heart like those who tore their robes and wept in Your presence, that You heard me. (2 Kings 22:19)
See, O Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death. (Lam. 1:20) Thank You, Lord, that I can be assured You will never forsake one of Your children crying out in agony over sin.
Lord God, I count on You not to withhold Your mercy from me; may Your love and Your truth always protect me. Father, troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. (Ps. 40:11–12)
O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against You. (Ps. 41:4)
Lord God, lift me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. Set my feet on a rock and give me a firm place to stand. Put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to my God! Blessed is the one who makes the Lord his trust. (Ps. 40:2–4)
Lord, I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”—and You forgave the guilt of my sin. (Ps. 32:5)
Father, I praise You with my whole heart that when the wicked forsakes his ways and the evil man his thoughts and turns to You, You will have mercy on him, for You will freely pardon! (Isa. 55:7)
Father, I thank You that You’ve had mercy on me according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion You blot out my transgressions. You can wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin . . . You can create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Ps. 51:1, 2, 10)
My faithful God, sorrow has led me to repentance. I pray that I have become sorrowful as You intended and was helped rather than hurt by the confrontation of my sin. Thank You for the godly sorrow that brings repentance leading to salvation and leaving no regret. (2 Cor. 7:9–10)
O, merciful God, when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people—each one aware of his afflictions and pains, and spreading out his hands toward this temple—then hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of men), so that they will fear you and walk in your ways all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers. (2 Chron. 6:29–31)
O, Lord, I have examined my ways and tested them, and returned wholeheartedly to You. (Lam. 3:40) 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. (Ps. 139:23–24) Lord, if in examining myself, I have overlooked sin, please show me and lead me to full repentance and restoration!
Our Lord Jesus does not flatter us. He lets us see our cases as they are. His searching eye perceives the bare truth of things. He is “the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 3:14) who deals with us according to the rule of uprightness. Oh, seeking soul, Jesus loves you too much to flatter you. Therefore, I ask you to have such confidence in Him that, however much He may rebuke . . . you by His Word and Spirit, you may without hesitation reply, “Truth, Lord.” Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
Father, Your Word says that if Your people will turn now, each of us, from our evil practices, we can stay in the land You have given us. (Jer. 25:5)
Lord, you have heard my cry for mercy; You, the Lord, accept my prayer. (Ps. 6:9)
Father, You looked down from Your sanctuary on high, from heaven You viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death. (Ps. 102:19–20)
Father, You have promised that those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Ps. 126:5–6)
Lord, I have come with weeping: I have prayed as You brought me back. You will lead me beside streams of water on a level path where I will not stumble, because You are my Father. (Jer. 31:9)
In tears I have sought You, the Lord my God. I desire to come and bind myself to You in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten. (Jer. 50:4–5)
Father, give me a heart to know You, that You are the Lord. I am Yours and You are mine, for I have returned to You with all my heart. (Jer. 24:7) You have said that if I will return to You, You, the Lord Almighty, will return to me. (Mal. 3:7)
Father, how I praise You for exalting Christ to Your own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Your people! (Acts 5:31)
O, God, never let me show contempt for the riches of Your kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that Your kindness leads me toward repentance. (Rom. 2:4)
My Father and my God, thank You for granting me repentance leading me to a knowledge of the truth! Thank You for causing me to come to my senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who had taken me captive to do His will. (2 Tim. 2:25–26)
"Do you groan, “I know I must repent, but I am so unfeeling that I cannot reach the right measure of tenderness”? This is true; therefore, the Lord Jesus is exalted on high to give repentance. You will not more repent in your own power than you will go to heaven in your own merit. But the Lord will grant you “repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). For repentance, also, is a fruit of the Spirit." Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
God, thank You for disciplining me for my good, that I may share in Your holiness. (Heb. 12:10)”
Lord, I remember the height from which I have fallen. I repent and deeply desire to do the things I did at first. I know that if I do not repent, You will come to me and remove any light my life has in this dark world. (Rev. 2:5)
Father, thank You for assuring me in Your Word that the ones You rebuke and discipline are the ones You love. To the best of my knowledge, I have been earnest and repentant. (Rev. 3:19)
Father, my guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear . . . I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. . . . I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before You, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes . . . I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin . . . O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior. (Ps. 38:4, 6, 8–10, 18, 21–22) Father, You never reject the truly repentant. Thank You, Lord.
Wash me, Lord, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice! (Ps. 51:7–8) Break this bondage, Lord, that seems to keep me from sensing or believing Your forgiveness. Help me to rejoice that the only thing whiter than snow is a repentant sinner!
My merciful Father, I thank You for the assurance that You will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Indeed, the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. (Ps. 51:17)
Father God, thank You for having no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, You did by sending Your own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. (Rom. 8:1–3) Help me to understand that the loving chastisement that might come to me after I have rebelled against You is only in the purest Father’s love and is never to be confused with condemnation. (Heb. 12:6)
The primary means Satan employs to put volume to his accusing voice is by using no small list of willing humans. We are by nature a merciless, condemning lot. Far more would burn in eternal flames under our judgment than under that of a holy and righteous God. Know the truth so thoroughly and respond to conviction so readily that when accusations come, you can resist the devil, no matter whose voice grants him volume.
My faithful God, if I claim to be without sin, I deceive myself and the truth is not in me. But if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just and will forgive me my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. If any of us claim we have not sinned, we make You out to be a liar and Your word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8–10)
Lord, apart from You, there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks You, God. All have turned away. We have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Rom. 3:10–12) God, the righteousness that comes from You comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of You, God, and are justified freely by Your grace through the redemption that came by Your Son, Christ Jesus. (Rom. 3:22–23) Help me to accept that Your gift of grace has never and will never be relegated by my ability to be good and righteous. Freedom from the burden of my own sin accompanies true repentance and acceptance that Your Son’s death fully pardoned me.
Blessed am I, God, because my transgressions are forgiven. My sins are covered. Blessed am I because You, Lord, will never count my sins against me. (Rom. 4:7–8)
Father, how I thank You that Your servants were also sinners saved by grace. The apostle Paul said, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” Even though he was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, he was shown mercy. Like him, Lord, Your grace has been poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 1:12–14)
Merciful Lord, I echo the words of the apostle Paul who said, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim. 1:15–17) Lord, even if I were the very worst of sinners as sometimes I feel I am, You still forgive and are willing to use those who put their trust in You! Thank You, God!
Lord, I have no reason to be ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that You are able to guard what I have entrusted to You for that day. (2 Tim. 1:12)
Lord, even when I’ve been faithless, You’ve been faithful, for You cannot disown Yourself. (2 Tim. 2:13)
Lord God, help me not to fall victim to the accusations of Satan, the accuser of believers. He is furious because he knows his time is short. I have received Your salvation and I am in Your kingdom, O God, and under the authority of Your Son, Jesus Christ. The enemy is overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimonies. (Rev. 12:10–11) Help me never to cease testifying of Your mighty work in my behalf.
If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. I wait for You, Lord. My soul waits, and in Your Word I put my hope. My soul waits for You, Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning. With You, Lord, is unfailing love and with You, Lord, is full redemption. You Yourself will redeem me from all my sins. (Ps. 130:3–8)
O, how I praise You that everyone who believes in You, Jesus, receives forgiveness of sins through Your name! (Acts 10:43) There are no exceptions!
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You, the Son of Man, have authority on earth to forgive sins! (Luke 5:24) Please help me to understand that when I doubt Your forgiveness after my own repentance, in effect, I’m saying I can do my part but You cannot do Yours. Forgive me, Jesus, and help me not to minimize Your sovereign authority to complete this awesome, redemptive work.
One reliable rod for measuring closeness to God would be the time that lapses between sin and repentance. The spiritual man stills sins, but he cannot bear to resist immediate repentance. His overwhelming sensitivity results in a holier life because he repents in the early stages of what otherwise would become a contagion of sin. Indeed, those who walk closely with God frustrate the efforts of the accuser; by the time he arrives in the heavenlies to register his accusations, God can say with pleasure, “I have no memory of that sin.”
Lord Jesus, help me to accept and internalize that if God is for me, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31) It is You, God, who justifies. (Rom. 8:33) Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at Your right hand, O God, and is also interceding for me. (Rom. 8:34)
In all these things I am more than a conqueror through You who love me, Sovereign Lord. (Rom. 8:37)
He who is unconvinced of God’s forgiving love is unconvinced he is more than a conqueror.
Lord God, one reason You inspired Your Word to be written was so that I, Your dear child, could know that my sins are forgiven on account of Your good name. (1 John 2:12) I can be strong because the word of God lives in me, and in You I have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14)
Father God, You made my Savior’s life a guilt offering for me. (Isa. 53:10) His death was enough to handle my guilt.
Lord, according to Your Word, he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Prov. 28:13)
Although my sins testify against me, O Lord, do something for the sake of Your name. For my backsliding is great; I have sinned against You. (Jer. 14:7) O Lord, I acknowledge my wickedness and guilt. I have indeed sinned against You. (Jer. 14:20)
Wonderful Savior, Jesus, how I thank You for telling us that there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent! (Luke 15:7)
Father, I have been like the prodigal son, squandering my inheritance on worthless living. While I was still a long way off, You saw me and were filled with compassion for me. You ran to receive me back into Your arms. I have come to You to confess my sin against heaven and against You. I have felt unworthy to be called Your son. But You celebrated my return to You and desired to put Your best robe around me and Your ring on my finger. Because of Your great mercy, You’ve received me back as a child, not a servant. I felt dead, but now I feel alive again! (Luke 15:13, 20–23, 32)
Lord Jesus, in Your name and Your authority, I say to the devil, “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. I have sinned, but Christ bore my wrath on the cross. He pleads my case and established my right. He will bring me out into the light, and I will see His righteousness. Then you, my enemy, will see it and be covered with shame.” (Mic. 7:8–10)
I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard a counselee say, “Oh, I confessed that sin a year ago—a thousand times.” “First, that is 999 times too many. Second, each subsequent time that sin is confessed, rather than the confession bringing relief, it only reinforces the false belief that it has not been forgiven. Double, or re-confession, only deepens the false belief that we have not been forgiven." Dr. Chuck Lynch, I Should Forgive, but . . ”