Painting over rust and rot
Last of three parts
Covering up is part of human nature. On the one hand, the right to privacy is respected; on the other hand, most people are curious, nosy and gossipy; therefore, the media look for juicy stuff, so they can increase their audience.
One loses the right to privacy when one has done something wrong. Even when one has done something very good, it is hard to avoid publicity. Today, we look at covering up the bad side.
After falling into sin, the first thing Adam and Eve did was to cover their nakedness, and to hide from God. When God held them accountable, Adam blamed Eve, and she blamed the devil. God opened and drained the wound to promote healing. He told them what the consequences were, and started the process of redemption. He promised a Redeemer, and made atonement for their sin by the blood of animals (resembling Christ’s blood), and using the skins of the animals to replace Adam and Eve’s ineffective fig leaves.
Despite David’s close relationship with God, he committed adultery and murder. For about a year, he covered up his sin. Then God sent the prophet Nathan to David to open his eyes. David recognized his sin, repented with sincerity, and was forgiven. His repressed guilt had to be opened before it could be removed.
The wise put this truth in a nutshell: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). John concurred, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).
Covering our problems and sins is like painting over rust and wood rot, or putting Band-Aid on cancer — the problem will proceed under cover.
Every religion has procedures for confession and removal of sin. Confidential person-to-person confession helps people to put their problem into words, and experience relief and acceptance. Christ appointed his followers to proclaim forgiveness of sins in his name (John 20:23, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38).
In the model prayer Christ taught his disciples, he made room for confession of sins committed toward God and people. He even said that if we do not forgive those who sinned against us, God will not forgive us either. He illustrated this truth by the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 6:1415, 18:21-35).
An unforgiving spirit hurts the victim much more than the culprit. Why keep on suffering for someone else’s mistake? Rinse your soul in the presence of a priest, pastor or counsellor, ask God to free you from bitterness, and make the best of your life as a free person.
Jacob Van Zyl of Lethbridge is a retired counsellor and the author of several faith-based books.